Real reasons Buhari did not name successor, refused to reverse Daura’s sack – Bichi
The A new biography on former President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed why he refused to publicly name a preferred successor ahead of the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary.
The book, ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’, explains that Buhari’s decision was driven by security concerns and a desire to preserve unity within the ruling party.
The 600-page book was written by Dr Charles Omole, Director General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research (IPSPR), and was presented in Abuja on Monday.
At the event, former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, gave fresh insight into Buhari’s actions during the tense succession period.
According to Bichi, Buhari deliberately avoided endorsing any aspirant because doing so could have put the person’s life at risk and worsened divisions within the APC.
He said Buhari’s silence was often misunderstood as indifference, but it was actually a calculated security decision based on intelligence reports at the time.
“In those months, knives were out; politically and, as security professionals know too well, sometimes literally,” Bichi said.
“To name an anointed heir would be to paint a target on a human being and to foreclose a process that, for all its imperfections, was designed to distribute risk.”
He added: “Buhari chose silence, and in doing so, absorbed the criticism that he was aloof. He was not. He was shielding a life and preserving a fragile equilibrium inside a party whose factions could as easily burn down the house as surrender the nomination they coveted.”
Bichi stressed that Buhari was more concerned about protecting lives and maintaining stability in the party and the country than avoiding criticism.
Bichi explained why Buhari did not reverse the decision taken by then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to remove Lawal Daura as DSS Director General while Buhari was abroad on medical leave.
According to him, Buhari believed that overturning the decision would undermine the authority of the acting president and damage institutional stability.
“Having lawfully delegated authority to his Vice President, Buhari considered any attempt to countermand that decision as injurious to institutional stability,” Bichi said.
He added that Buhari saw any reversal as “an insult to his vice,” and a threat to the chain of command.
Bichi also disclosed that Buhari resisted political pressure and refused to personalise governance, even when allies were affected.
“One of the earliest tests of Buhari’s restraint came during the removal of Lawal Daura as DG DSS,” he said.
“Pressure followed for a presidential reversal. Buhari refused to interfere.”
The former DSS boss described Buhari as a disciplined leader who valued evidence, professionalism and restraint over political drama.
He said Buhari consistently asked security chiefs, “Where is your proof?” and refused to act on rumours or unverified claims.
According to Bichi, Buhari’s approach allowed security agencies to operate professionally while remaining accountable, and reinforced his belief that public office is a trust, not a personal privilege.
The book presentation at the Presidential Villa was attended by President Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, governors, ministers, diplomats, traditional rulers, and members of Buhari’s family.
Real reasons Buhari did not name successor, refused to reverse Daura’s sack – Bichi