Fatima Buhari: My father’s private secretary was overbearing, ministers feared him

By Ademola Adekusibe
18th December 2025

Fatima Buhari, first daughter of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has disclosed that her father’s former private secretary, Tunde Sabiu, wielded excessive influence within the Presidency, creating an atmosphere of fear among ministers and top government officials.

Fatima made the disclosure in From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, a biography authored by Charles Omole. In her account, she said Sabiu, who is also Buhari’s nephew, exercised authority far beyond his official role by controlling access to the president and determining the flow of official documents.

According to her, the power dynamics within Aso Rock were such that many ministers believed meaningful progress on government matters depended solely on Sabiu’s approval. She noted that this perception affected how senior officials related with the presidency and contributed to internal tension.

Fatima stressed that her claims were not based on rumours or hearsay but on personal observations during her father’s time in office as Nigeria’s president. She recalled that stories about Sabiu’s influence were widespread, including an incident involving a foreign visitor who jokingly remarked in a recorded clip that it was impossible to see the president without Sabiu’s consent.

She further stated that Sabiu’s control over access and paperwork made him a central figure in presidential operations, despite not holding a constitutionally powerful position.

The revelations add to growing post-presidency accounts detailing internal power struggles and administrative challenges during Buhari’s tenure, as documented in the biography, which was recently unveiled to the public.