Former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has revealed that the late leader was deeply troubled by his inability to fully resolve Nigeria’s security challenges before leaving office.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Gambari said Buhari felt proud of his achievements against Boko Haram, including reclaiming all previously occupied territories, but remained pained by lingering violence in the North-West and North-Central regions.
“The situation in the North-West, in the North-Central, even in banditry, it pained him a lot. And he felt, ‘I’ve done everything I can for these people,’” Gambari stated.
Gambari also addressed reports of coup threats before the end of Buhari’s administration, saying he was not aware of any intelligence reaching the president through his office. He emphasized that Buhari maintained strong ties with the military while operating strictly within constitutional limits.
On leadership, Gambari described Buhari as loyal to those who contributed to his political and personal development, while noting that some of those who benefited most from Nigeria were least committed to its progress. He also confirmed that Buhari did not try to impose a successor during the 2023 election, leaving the choice to party members and the electorate.
Buhari, who previously ruled as military head of state (1983–1985) and later as democratically elected president (2015–2023), passed away on 13 July 2025 at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness. His tenure saw key victories against Boko Haram but was overshadowed by widespread banditry and insecurity in other regions, which remained unresolved at the end of his administration.
