Fatima Buhari, daughter of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has alleged that Tunde Sabiu, the president’s former private secretary, wielded immense influence during her father’s administration.
Fatima said Sabiu, who is also Buhari’s nephew, controlled access to the president and the flow of official documents, exercising authority beyond his formal role.
The revelation is contained in From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, a biography by Charles Omole. Fatima said ministers treated Sabiu as a gatekeeper and feared displeasing him. “Tunde had a hold on most of the ministers,” she said, adding that offending him could delay or halt government initiatives.
While acknowledging the authority of a private secretary, Fatima described Sabiu as overbearing but recalled a rare public rebuke from her father. “He was overbearing,” she said. “In front of me, there’s a time that Baba shouted at Tunde.” She also raised concerns about forged signatures, noting she presented evidence to her father.