Lai Mohammed – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

A former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has paid glowing tribute to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as an exceptional patriot, an incorruptible leader and a compassionate humanist whose lasting legacy transcends his illustrious military and political careers.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Head of Strategic Communications Lai Mohammed Media Office, Nnamdi Atupulazi, noted that he said this while speaking in Abuja on Monday, during a tribute program to commemorate the first anniversary of Buhari’s death.

Alhaji Mohammed said the life of the late President was defined not only by the numerous high offices he held but, above all, by his integrity, humility, patriotism, humanity and absolute trust in those who served with him.

Reflecting on Buhari’s remarkable career in public service, he said few Nigerians have combined such vast military and political experience, having served at virtually every level of military command, from platoon commander to general officer commanding, before holding key national positions as military governor, federal commissioner (minister), chairman of the NNPC, member of the Supreme Military Council, military head of state, executive chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), serial presidential candidate and, ultimately, democratically elected president for two terms.

“But beyond these impressive credentials were the qualities that truly set him apart: his unwavering patriotism, unquestionable integrity, disarming humility, honesty and, above all, his profound humanity,” she said.

He recalled that during the nearly eight years he served as spokesperson of the Buhari administration, the late president consistently demonstrated genuine concern for his well-being despite carrying the enormous burden of leading the nation.

He noted that Buhari regularly asked him how he was coping with the demands of the job and once publicly remarked, “I pity Lai Mohammed,” a statement he said reflected the former president’s empathy and concern for others.

Alhaji Mohammed identified confidence as one of Buhari’s defining leadership qualities and cited several incidents to illustrate the confidence the late president had in him.

One such case involved a high-risk media tour of liberated communities in Borno State, organized in 2015 to demonstrate to local and international journalists that Boko Haram had been driven out of the territories it once occupied.

According to him, after the defense minister insisted that the mission required the approval of the commander in chief due to the large deployment of military personnel and equipment, Buhari, who was then present at an international summit in South Africa, immediately approved the operation without hesitation, despite not being informed in advance.

The mission took journalists aboard a C-130 military aircraft from Abuja to Maiduguri before proceeding under heavy military escort and air cover to Bama, previously proclaimed by Boko Haram as the headquarters of its self-declared caliphate.

Alhaji Mohammed described the endorsement as one of the greatest displays of trust a leader can place in a subordinate.

He also recounted how Buhari calmly rejected allegations contained in a petition filed against him.

According to him, although the President ordered that the allegations be investigated discreetly in accordance with due process, he made it clear from the beginning that he did not believe such claims. The investigation eventually exonerated him completely.

In another example, the former government spokesperson said Buhari defended him during a Federal Executive Council meeting after a cabinet colleague questioned whether enough had been done to publicize the administration’s achievements.

According to him, the President informed the Council that he personally attended his engagements with the international media, which caused him to miss the Council meeting, and claimed that he (the minister) was effectively communicating the government’s achievements to the global public.

Alhaji Mohammed described Buhari as a strong believer in Nigeria’s unity, recalling his role on the front lines during the Nigerian civil war and his abiding belief that the country must remain one indivisible nation.

He cited Buhari’s famous statement when he assumed office as Military Head of State in January 1984, in which he said: “This generation of Nigerians, and indeed future generations, have no country but Nigeria. We will stay here and save it together.”

He said the former president consistently reaffirmed that philosophy during his years in Democratic office, addressing contemporary national challenges.

The former minister also highlighted Buhari’s decisive role in suppressing the Maitatsine uprising in 1980 and his steadfast commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.

Contrary to the popular perception of Buhari as a stern military officer, he said the former president possessed a warm personality, remarkable humility and an engaging sense of humor.

He recalled an occasion when Buhari telephoned him while he was in Lagos and kindly asked if he could “do me a favor” by representing him at an event at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs instead of giving a direct presidential briefing.

Alhaji Mohammed also shared funny moments from political strategy meetings held in Kaduna ahead of the 2015 general elections, where Buhari jokingly teased him about his routine Monday and Thursday fasts, asking him how many people he had killed and for whom he was atoning with his marathon fasts and making everyone present laugh.

He further revealed that Buhari once explained why critics had nicknamed him “Baba Go-Slow”, saying the experience had taught him the importance of patience, fairness and thoroughness in governance after lessons learned as a military head of state.