A former Director of Public Affairs at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, has called on Nigerians to forgive the late President Muhammadu Buhari and instead hold his inner circle responsible for the shortcomings of his administration.
Jimoh, who currently serves as an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Abuja, made this appeal in a press statement issued on Monday, as tributes continue to pour in following Buhari’s death.
Describing Buhari as “a pious, honest, patriotic and nationalistic statesman,” Jimoh said the late president had sincere plans to rescue Nigeria from economic decline, rising insecurity, and mass poverty, but was frustrated by the very people he trusted.
He stated, “President Buhari had the best of plans to rescue Nigeria from economic doldrums, insecurity, and mass poverty.
“But the same people he trusted with power, the cabals and certain cabinet members, betrayed that trust. They hijacked the reins of power and superimposed their selfish interests over his transformative agenda.”
He dismissed claims that Buhari had absolute control over his government, arguing that every administration has its share of “kitchen cabinet and oligarchic influencers” that can significantly alter decision-making.
‘Aisha Buhari Confirmed it’ — Jimoh Cites Private Chat
Backing his assertion, Jimoh recalled a private meeting he had with former First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari, in 2018, during which she expressed dismay at the performance of some senior officials in her husband’s administration.
“In 2018, I had the rare privilege of discussing the state of the nation with Her Excellency, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, for over an hour,” he revealed.
“She gave me a deep insight into the good intentions of her husband and was dismayed by the poor performance of some top government functionaries and even some governors. She vowed to keep pushing for the Nigeria her husband envisioned.”
Jimoh noted that while Buhari ultimately bore the responsibility for his administration, understanding the internal sabotage he faced would help Nigerians judge him more fairly.
Tinubu Must Learn From Buhari’s Mistakes
Turning to the country’s current affairs, Jimoh offered a word of advice to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to be wary of his own cabinet so as not to repeat the errors of his predecessor.
He cautioned, “This is a lesson for President Tinubu. He must ensure his kitchen cabinet does not derail the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Concluding his statement, Jimoh appealed for national forgiveness in line with religious teachings from both the Bible and Quran.
“Both the Quran and Bible urge us to forgive. Given the Buhari family’s plea and the late president’s intentions, it is only humane that we forgive and move forward,” he said.
Naijaonpoint reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari passed away earlier this month after a prolonged illness.
His burial in Daura, Katsina State, was attended by dignitaries from across the country, reigniting a national conversation about his legacy, with public opinion sharply divided over his impact on Nigeria’s political and socio-economic landscape.