Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), has asserted that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was uneasy with politics but suppressed his feelings in the interest of governance.
Buhari passed away on Sunday in London and was laid to rest on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State. He was President from 2015 to 2023.
In an interview with Channels TV, Mohammed, who served as Minister of Environment under Buhari from 2015 to 2016, paid tribute to her former superior.
She reminisced about how the late president encouraged her to accept the UN appointment as Deputy Secretary-General.
”We were in a climate meeting in Marrakesh when Ban Ki-moon approached me and said, ‘We think the new Secretary-General will ask you to be his deputy,’ and I replied, ‘No, that’s not possible; I’ve come home to serve,’” she recalled.
“I then spoke with him (Buhari) about needing his support, asking him not to agree if they approached him. He replied, ‘Of course not. We need all our people back here serving Nigeria; we need the best.’
“Feeling reassured, I departed Marrakesh for India, which was my next destination. While there, I received a call from the current Secretary-General inquiring if I would consider being his Deputy Secretary-General.
“I confidently responded, ‘I can’t. I can’t leave the service I have committed to under President Muhammadu Buhari.’
“He then asked, ‘May I speak to him?’ and I said, ‘Of course, you may speak to him.’
“I was quite certain that my president would refuse. After returning home, I was informed that the president wanted to see me.
“I went to meet him, and he spoke to me for quite some time about the importance of service, and I thought to myself, ‘My goodness, I know where this conversation is leading.’
“At the end of our discussion, after he explained the significance of representing the nation, he said, ‘But of course, the decision is yours.’ I thought to myself, ‘Goodness, the decision is not mine at all.’
“In our culture, when a man of such stature, whom you regard as a father, speaks to you, it is clear he wants the best, and the only thing you can reply is ‘Yes, sir.’”
Buhari Was Uncomfortable with Politics
When asked about Buhari’s administration’s legacy, Mohammed noted that he was dedicated to sacrificing for the good of the nation.
“I think first and foremost, he was an officer and a gentleman who transitioned from a military role to a democratic one. He shed his uniform and embraced democracy,” she said.
“I do not believe he was always comfortable with politics, yet he endeavoured time and again. He believed in the rule of law and in a system that, despite its imperfections, deserved persistent effort until he achieved his objectives. It was God’s will for him to be president at that moment in time.”
Mohammed expressed her desire for Nigerians to understand that, just as Buhari recognised, progress does not manifest overnight.
“The struggle of Nigeria is what I believe he leaves behind—that one must not give up on this country; it is the only one we possess, and it is not perfect. However, it is our duty to engage in nation-building,” she said.
“He was at times very enthusiastic, eager to see our potential, and motivated us, but he also felt disappointment in our reactions regarding whether we were ready to take that final step.
“We must consider that he gave everything he had. Whenever he was asked to serve, he did so, and we should acknowledge that.
“To serve is not an easy endeavour. It involves significant sacrifice—not just for him but also for his wife, children, family, and way of life. He was not one to seek public attention; he preferred to keep his own counsel and surrounded himself with a small group of trusted friends and family.”
Mohammed concluded by stating that Buhari remained steadfast in his convictions, never wavering during her time working with him, and she encouraged Nigerians to embody the same principles.
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