In a passionate defense of the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy, former Director of Public Affairs at National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, has called on Nigerians to redirect their criticisms from the deceased leader to the “cabals and kitchen cabinet” members who allegedly sabotaged his administration.
The University of Abuja adjunct research fellow described Buhari in a statement as “a pious, honest, patriotic and nationalistic statesman” whose vision was undermined by trusted allies.
“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,” Jimoh asserted. “They hijacked the reins of power and superimposed their selfish interests over his transformative agenda.”
Jimoh dismissed claims that no cabal existed during Buhari’s tenure, insisting every government contends with “kitchen cabinet and oligarchic influencers.” He revealed a 2018 private conversation with former First Lady Aisha Buhari that he said confirmed the late president’s frustrated intentions.
“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. 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,” Jimoh recounted. “She vowed to keep pushing for the Nigeria her husband envisioned.”
While acknowledging Buhari’s ultimate responsibility as leader, Jimoh predicted history would judge him more favorably if Nigerians understood how “bad eggs within the system” obstructed progress. He extended his warning to current President Bola Tinubu, cautioning against similar pitfalls.
“This is a lesson for President Tinubu. He must ensure his kitchen cabinet does not derail the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Jimoh advised.
Citing religious teachings, the former NAFDAC spokesman appealed for national forgiveness: “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.”
The defense comes amid polarized assessments of Buhari’s legacy following his death earlier this month after a prolonged illness. While state funerals drew dignitaries nationwide, public discourse remains divided on his eight-year administration’s achievements and shortcomings.