Fatima Buhari, daughter of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has stirred public debate after saying that her father’s former private secretary, Tunde Sabiu, had too much power during Buhari’s time in office. Her comment has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians, especially on social media.
Fatima made the statement in a post shared on her verified X (formerly Twitter) account early Tuesday. In the short post, she claimed that Tunde Sabiu wielded excessive influence in the presidency while her father was in power.
“My father’s former private secretary, Tunde Sabiu, had too much power during Buhari’s presidency,” she wrote.
The post quickly attracted attention, as it came from a close family member of the former president. Many Nigerians see such comments as rare, especially given the culture of silence that often surrounds inner workings of government at the highest level.
Soon after her post went public, reactions began to pour in from different quarters. While some social media users praised Fatima for speaking out, others criticised her, saying the issue should not be discussed publicly.
One X user, Ahmad Sadeeq, openly criticised her comment. He accused Fatima of using her family name to seek attention online. “You are using Buhari’s family name to chase clout. Allow him and his family to rest abeg,” Sadeeq wrote in response.
The exchange has since fueled further discussion about the role and influence of aides during Buhari’s presidency, which lasted from 2015 to 2023.
Tunde Sabiu served as a private secretary to President Buhari and was widely known to be very close to him. Reports have also noted that Sabiu is a nephew of the former president, a fact that often added to public discussions about his influence in government.
During Buhari’s time in office, there were frequent claims that some unelected aides and relatives had strong control over access to the president and decision-making processes. Critics of the administration often argued that a small group around Buhari held significant power, sometimes more than elected officials or cabinet members.
Supporters of the former president, however, have always defended his leadership style. They argued that Buhari trusted a small circle of aides because of loyalty and security concerns, especially given his background as a former military leader.
Fatima Buhari’s comment has reopened these long-standing debates. Many Nigerians are now asking questions about how much power presidential aides should have and whether such influence affects transparency and accountability in government.
“This is not just about one person,” said a political observer. “It raises a wider issue about how power is shared in government and who really makes decisions.”
Buhari’s presidency was marked by strong promises to fight corruption, improve security, and revive the economy. While some supporters believe he did his best under difficult conditions, critics say his government struggled in key areas and was often slow in decision-making.
There were also frequent reports during his administration that it was difficult to see or speak directly with the president, as access was tightly controlled by aides. These reports often mentioned the role of key staff members in managing information and appointments.
So far, Tunde Sabiu has not responded publicly to Fatima Buhari’s comment. There has also been no official statement from the Buhari family or from people who worked closely with the former president.
Fatima Buhari herself did not provide further details or examples to support her claim. Her silence after the initial post has left many Nigerians speculating about what she meant and why she chose to speak out now.
Some Nigerians believe her comment could encourage more open discussions about governance and power during past administrations. Others feel such matters should be handled privately, especially when they involve family and close associates.