A former spokesperson for Nigeria’s drug regulation agency has called on the public to forgive former President Muhammadu Buhari, attributing the failures of his administration to powerful figures within his inner circle rather than to the late leader himself.
The appeal came through a public statement issued by Abubakar Jimoh, who formerly served as Director of Public Affairs at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and is now an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Abuja.
Jimoh argued that although Buhari bore ultimate responsibility for his administration, his leadership was significantly undermined by a powerful group of insiders who allegedly diverted his original agenda. According to Jimoh, these individuals—often referred to as “cabals”—exploited their positions to pursue personal interests, derailing what he described as Buhari’s genuine commitment to national progress.
He maintained that Buhari had entered office with clear intentions to combat poverty, insecurity, and misgovernance, but that certain members of his so-called kitchen cabinet betrayed his trust. He further noted that these same individuals contributed to widespread disappointment and poor performance across key sectors.
Speaking from personal experience, Jimoh recounted a private conversation with former First Lady Aisha Buhari in 2018, in which she reportedly expressed disillusionment with the conduct of top officials and governors. He said she reaffirmed her husband’s original desire to transform Nigeria but acknowledged that the execution of that vision had been poorly handled.
Referencing this encounter, Jimoh urged Nigerians to shift focus away from Buhari and instead scrutinize those who may have manipulated the administration from behind the scenes. He emphasized that while leadership accountability remains essential, history should also consider the influence of those who operated unofficially yet wielded significant power.
Jimoh also offered advice to the current government, warning against the unchecked influence of inner circles and urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain vigilant to ensure the success of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He concluded his remarks with a spiritual appeal, referencing teachings from both the Bible and the Quran on the virtues of forgiveness, and reminded Nigerians of the Buhari family’s earlier plea for understanding and reconciliation.
