How truly representative of Buhari’s values was last book launch? – Nasir El-Rufai

By KEMI KASUMU

“More troubling was the presence of long-time critics of Buhari, some of whom now hold high office, delivering glowing, but clearly faked tributes. These are individuals who once blamed his administration for nearly every challenge facing Nigeria, but who now appear eager to revise history—perhaps to deflect responsibility for present failures.”

The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has punctured a big whole on the recent book launch purportedly organiser in honour of “our late leader”.

He then called on elements behind the event to “Let President Muhammadu Buhari Rest in Peace”, according to his chosen headline for the statement he made available via his verified Facebook social media timeline dated 17th December 2025.

The former governor expressed concerns that a book acclaimed to be in honour Buhari would be launched and only people who for the whole of their life during the late leader’s days in government would be invited to dominate it, thus calling to question how representative of Buhari was the book launch.

The no nonsense Mallam described as more troubling that people, who now hold high office in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of same All Progressives Congress (APC) with Buhari but have been more interested in watching assigning the hatchet jobs of destroying the late president, delivered glowing but clearly faked tributes at the book launch.

He, however, did not mention Tinubu or his administration but “now hold high office” has not other interpretation than that, The DEFENDER reports.

According to Nasir El-Rufai, “The recent launch of a book on the life and legacy of our late leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, has stirred deep emotions and renewed divisions among those who once formed his inner circle. Having followed the headlines and images from the event, I felt compelled to make a simple but urgent appeal: let us allow President Buhari to rest in peace.

“A careful look at those who dominated the book launch revealed the same factional lines that existed during Buhari’s lifetime. One camp was prominently represented, while others—equally close to the late president—were excluded. This selective engagement compounded by the choice of location of the event were red flags, and raises concerns about whether Buhari’s legacy is now being shaped to serve narrow interests rather than historical truth.

“More troubling was the presence of long-time critics of Buhari, some of whom now hold high office, delivering glowing, but clearly faked tributes. These are individuals who once blamed his administration for nearly every challenge facing Nigeria, but who now appear eager to revise history—perhaps to deflect responsibility for present failures.

“It was also unsettling to see individuals celebrating Buhari in death who had neither his trust nor his respect in life. President Buhari was a principled man who did not easily forget personal or political disrespect, and he made his preferences clear to those around him.

“I have not yet read the book, Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, and it is possible that some media reports lack context. However, many of the so-called revelations attributed to the late president appear one-sided and unfair, especially as he is no longer alive to respond. Explaining the thoughts and motivations of a complex leader through selective anecdotes risks distorting, rather than preserving, his legacy.

“President Buhari was far from perfect. Many of us who supported him expected much more from his civilian presidency. However, as someone who worked closely with him in opposition political, and governance roles for over a decade, I believe much of his administration’s shortcomings stemmed from the actions and failures of a powerful inner circle—relatives, advisers, and officials who did not always share his commitment to integrity and public service.

“Buhari himself remained, to the end, a man of deep faith, personal discipline, and unquestioned patriotism. Those now invoking his name for self-justification should reflect on whether they can claim the same standards.

“My appeal here is simple: to all Nigerians: admirers and critics alike—let President Muhammadu Buhari rest in peace. Let history judge him fairly, without opportunism or revisionism. The truest way to honour him is not through selective storytelling, or attempting to exhibit new-found love, but by upholding the values he embodied: simplicity, integrity, humility, and service to Nigeria with all he had.

“May Allah grant him eternal rest,” he wrote.