Buhari’s Passing Left Me Emotionally Str!cken for Days – Ex-Minister Lai Mohammed

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, revealed that he was left physically incapacitated for several days upon hearing about the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The shock from the news rendered him immobile, which he described as one of the most challenging moments in his life.

Mohammed stated, “I was paralyzed for days when I received the news of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s passing. Once I regained my strength, I resolved to dedicate an entire chapter to him in my book.” He shared that this period of recovery gave him the opportunity to reflect on Buhari’s leadership and their collaborative years.

He characterized Buhari as a leader who trusted his ministers and refrained from micromanagement, noting that during their eight years together, the president only requested a favor from him once. “He called to ask if I could present a paper in his place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. I gladly agreed to do it,” he recounted.

Mohammed traced their long-standing relationship back to the establishment of the All Progressives Congress, praising Buhari for rewarding loyalty with trust. He dismissed notions that Buhari was out of touch with national matters, asserting, “Many critics lack understanding of governmental operations.”

He elaborated, “Anyone who worked alongside Buhari would recognize that he was always engaged, overseeing operations effectively.” He highlighted that aside from periods of illness, Buhari regularly presided over Council meetings and possessed significant institutional memory and experience. He stated, “Claiming he was disconnected is simply unjust.”

Mohammed also reflected on one of his toughest times as a minister during the EndSARS protests, when his family faced public backlash. He revealed, “My wife and children were subjected to online and offline harassment. Their businesses faced boycotts, and they were unhappy, believing I was the cause of their troubles.”

In response to the situation, they held a family meeting and decided he should resign, clarifying that this decision was not motivated by financial concerns. He said, “People speculate about the benefits of holding office, but I find it amusing. During my tenure, no minister earned more than N900,000 a month. My total compensation was N860,000, including allowances for feeding and housing. It is an honor to serve, but it’s incorrect to think that becoming a minister resolves all your issues.”

Addressing allegations of dishonesty in defense of the government, Mohammed stated, “You may not share my viewpoint, but it’s hard to dispute my logic or facts.” He added that many accusations stem from his loyalty to the president and emphasized that as Minister of Information, national security and cohesion must be prioritized.

He regarded Buhari as “a good leader, mentor, and friend,” and his passing inspired him to document the administration in his book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration. Mohammed explained that the publication encapsulates pivotal moments, decisions, crises, and communication challenges that influenced Buhari’s presidency.