Buhari Biography Uncovers Alleged Plot to Impose Ahmad Lawan as APC Flagbearer

A newly released biography of the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed an alleged attempt by some of his close aides to manipulate the 2022 presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by issuing forged presidential directives in favour of former Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The revelation was made public by Imran Mohammed, a public affairs commentator, in a post shared via his official X handle, drawing attention to key disclosures contained in the book From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari.

Authored by Dr. Charles Omole, the biography was unveiled on December 15, 2025, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, during an event attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other top political figures.

According to the book, the alleged plot occurred on the eve of the APC presidential primaries, when aides close to Buhari reportedly circulated counterfeit directives bearing the president’s name to top security chiefs.

The orders allegedly sought the deployment of security agencies to influence the primaries and ensure Lawan’s emergence as the party’s consensus candidate.

Security chiefs said to have received the forged instructions included the then Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

The book states that Alkali Baba rejected the directives, consulted with fellow security heads, and proceeded to confirm directly from Buhari.

The former president reportedly denied authorising any such move, stressing that he had no preferred candidate and would not interfere in the democratic process.

Buhari was also quoted as dismissing reports of celebrations in Lawan’s neighbourhood over an alleged endorsement, reiterating that Nigerians should be allowed to choose their leader freely and that security agencies must remain neutral.

The incident is presented in the biography as a defining moment of Buhari’s leadership style, portraying him as resistant to the misuse of state power for political advantage.

The book further chronicles other tense episodes during his presidency, including internal power struggles within the administration, the 2018 removal of former DSS Director-General Lawal Daura, and a reported family dispute within the Presidential Villa that escalated into gunfire.