A new book, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari by Dr. Charles Omole, reveals that aides to former President Muhammadu Buhari issued “fake presidential orders” to the IGP, DSS, and NIA on the eve of the APC 2023 presidential primaries, attempting to declare then-Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s preferred candidate.
The book also states that former First Lady Aisha Buhari instigated the removal of DSS DG Lawal Daura.
According to the book, the then-IGP, Alkali Baba, refused to comply with the false order and sought an audience with Buhari, who clarified that he had not endorsed any candidate. “The President laughed, and then he made it clear: he had not anointed anyone. He repeated what he had always said – Nigerians should choose,” the book quotes him saying.
The book also details a separate family dispute at Aso Rock, during which gunfire erupted when a policeman attached to the First Lady fired shots. Buhari’s Chief Security Officer handled the situation professionally, and the President ensured accountability extended to relatives involved.