Mamora Defends Buhari’s Leadership Style Amid Probe Of Ex-Aides

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, has defended the leadership style of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, amid criticisms that allegations of corruption against some of his former appointees undermine his reputation for integrity.

Speaking on ARISE News Day Break, Mamora acknowledged that some officials who served under Buhari were currently facing corruption allegations but stressed that ongoing investigations should be allowed to run their full course.

“There is no human being that is perfect. We all have our imperfections, one way or the other,” Mamora said. “The issues you’ve mentioned regarding some of the ministers that served under President Muhammadu Buhari — they have cases ongoing. It will be premature to start drawing conclusions without allowing the process to go on.”

He explained that Buhari’s leadership style was rooted in trust, giving ministers significant latitude to carry out their responsibilities without micromanagement.

“Once he brings you on board to work with him, he gives you all the latitude based on trust,” Mamora noted. “But if somehow along the line there is a misstep, then you are your own, and due process will be allowed to take its course.”

Addressing criticisms that Buhari was slow and overly conservative in governance, Mamora said the former president deliberately adopted a more cautious approach as a civilian leader, unlike his time as a military head of state.

“He himself once said that as a military head of state, he was used to doing things with immediate effect,” Mamora said. “But as a civilian president, over the years, he learned to do things differently — more cautiously and through consensus.”

On whether delays in cabinet appointments under Buhari, and similarly under President Bola Tinubu, reflected lack of urgency in governance, Mamora argued that democracy itself is inherently slow, especially in a diverse country like Nigeria.

“Democracy tends to be slow because of many factors; religious, ethnic considerations, North, South, East, West,” he said. “You need to be careful and think through issues. There is no guarantee you won’t make mistakes, no matter what you do.”

He added that governance is a continuous learning process, noting that “democracy itself is a process, not a destination.” He expressed hope that lessons from Buhari’s administration would guide future administrations.