A recently published book has alleged that powerful aides within the Presidential Villa during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari attempted to manipulate the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries in 2023 by issuing what were described as “fake presidential directives” to Nigeria’s top security chiefs.
According to the book, these individuals claimed to be acting on Buhari’s authority and approached the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on the eve of the APC primaries. Their alleged objective was to use security influence to install then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as the party’s consensus presidential candidate.
The book further disclosed that former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, played a significant role in the circumstances that led to the removal of the former DSS Director-General, Lawal Daura. It also revealed that internal family tensions during Buhari’s tenure once escalated into a disturbing incident in which a police officer attached to the First Lady’s office fired gunshots inside the Presidential Villa.
These revelations are contained in From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Dr. Charles Omole. The book was formally unveiled at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja, with several high-profile dignitaries in attendance. Among them were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Vice President’s wife Nana Shettima, governors, traditional rulers, former First Lady Aisha Buhari, members of Buhari’s family, and some of his former aides.
The publication recounts how certain individuals close to Buhari allegedly presented a fabricated presidential instruction to the heads of the police, DSS, and NIA, claiming the President had ordered them to deploy security forces in a way that would ensure Ahmad Lawan emerged as the APC’s presidential flagbearer.
Former Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, was quoted in the book as recalling how the supposed directive was delivered by influential figures who insisted they were acting on Buhari’s wishes. However, the IGP explained that the claim did not align with Buhari’s long-standing position on democratic elections.
According to Baba’s account, shortly before the 2023 general elections, a closed-door meeting was held involving the National Security Adviser, service chiefs, the DSS Director-General, and the IGP himself. During that meeting, Buhari reportedly made it clear that he intended to attend the APC’s final caucus meeting to restate his belief that Nigerians should freely choose their leaders. The President, the IGP recalled, emphasized that the role of the security agencies was strictly to provide a safe environment for credible elections and nothing more. Buhari also assured them that the necessary funding would be made available to guarantee adequate security.
The book stressed that Buhari’s instructions were neither symbolic nor ambiguous. Instead, they reflected a consistent stance he had maintained throughout his presidency, even when it caused discomfort within his own party: elections must be free, fair, and determined by voters, not by state power.
Addressing the alleged fake order, the book described a tense episode on the morning before the APC presidential primaries in Abuja. Influential individuals said to be close to the President reportedly approached the IGP, DSS boss, and NIA chief with what they claimed was a directive to use security deployments to install Lawan as the party’s candidate. A meeting was even proposed to advance the plan, relying on proximity to power and the implied authority of security uniforms.
Alkali Baba, however, refused to comply and told his colleagues he would not be part of such an operation. The three security chiefs then agreed to seek an immediate audience with Buhari to confirm the instruction.
When they met the President, the IGP informed him that security arrangements for the convention at Eagle Square were already in place and then politely asked whether there were any additional directives. Buhari reportedly said there were none. The anticipated confirmation of the alleged order never came.
The IGP then raised the issue that had triggered their visit, explaining that from his residence near the Senate President’s guest house, he could hear celebrations fueled by reports that Buhari had endorsed Lawan. Buhari reportedly laughed and categorically denied endorsing anyone. He reiterated his long-held position that Nigerians and party delegates should decide for themselves and that the security agencies must not interfere in the democratic process.
Outside the President’s office, those who had attempted to orchestrate the plan were waiting. According to the book, the IGP informed them plainly that Buhari had no preferred candidate and that there would be no manipulation of the primaries using security institutions.
The author concluded that the incident illustrated how individuals close to Buhari exploited his trust, misrepresented his intentions, and attempted to misuse state power without his knowledge, actions that ultimately posed risks to national stability.
On the removal of DSS Director-General Lawal Daura, the book explained that the decision was taken by then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo while Buhari was away. Despite intense pressure on Buhari to reverse the action upon his return, he refused to interfere. The book noted that Buhari believed overturning Osinbajo’s decision would undermine institutional authority and disrespect the powers he had constitutionally delegated to his deputy. It further revealed that Aisha Buhari was one of the key figures who pushed for Daura’s removal.
The book also detailed a troubling domestic incident within the Presidential Villa, describing how a family disagreement escalated when a police officer discharged his weapon. Buhari’s Chief Security Officer, Abubakar Idris, promptly ordered the officer’s arrest and detention. The matter was complicated by the officer’s ties to the First Lady, but the CSO reportedly handled the situation professionally before allowing space for family reconciliation.
The narrative emphasized that accountability extended beyond junior officers. After being briefed on those responsible for the incident, Buhari reportedly ordered consequences even for relatives. A nephew was allegedly asked to leave the Villa immediately. The author described this as a defining moment that contradicted perceptions of Buhari as slow to act, demonstrating that family connections did not protect anyone from disciplinary action once misconduct was established.