Irabor Recalls Surprise Appointment by Buhari Without Prior Meeting
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky E.O. Irabor (rtd), has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as Nigeria’s top military chief in 2021 without the two ever having met in person before the appointment.
The retired general made the disclosure during a heartfelt tribute to the late Nigerian leader, who passed away recently. Irabor described Buhari as “a good man and a disciplined and deeply principled leader,” praising the president’s rare style of leadership that valued integrity, loyalty, and competence over personal connections.
“President Buhari placed implicit trust in those he appointed. He never micromanaged and never second-guessed his decisions,” Irabor said. “It was a mark of the deep trust he had in the institutional process and the recommendations made to him.”
Irabor’s appointment as Chief of Defence Staff came at a critical time in Nigeria’s security landscape, marked by widespread insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and rising threats across other parts of the country.
Despite these enormous challenges, Buhari’s decision to entrust the leadership of the Armed Forces to a man he had never personally interacted with stood as a testament to his confidence in merit and professional competence.
Reflecting on their working relationship, Irabor noted that Buhari never interfered in the day-to-day operations of the military or gave direct operational orders a departure from the norm in some military-civilian relations across Africa.
“He allowed us to operate independently, trusting us to execute our responsibilities with professionalism. His confidence in us was empowering,” Irabor added.
According to the retired general, this rare quality of presidential detachment from tactical command gave service chiefs the room to focus on strategies and operations without fear of political pressure or second-guessing.
Irabor’s tribute adds to a growing list of encomiums from former aides, appointees, and political allies who have described Buhari as austere, principled, and committed to a legacy of institutional independence.
He also recalled moments during his tenure when decisions were taken purely based on national interest, not influenced by favoritism or personal gain, crediting Buhari’s values for fostering such an environment.
“The late President’s leadership ethos made it clear that competence and patriotism were the only currencies that mattered in his administration,” he said.
As Nigeria continues to reflect on Buhari’s legacy, tributes like Irabor’s offer insight into the inner workings of the former president’s leadership one that left a distinct mark on national defense and governance.
