Buhari Betrayed My Mandate In 1984 Coup – Anyaoku Breaks Silence After Decades

Former Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has revealed how the late President Muhammadu Buhari played a pivotal role in securing his re-election to the prestigious international position back in 1984.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Friday, Anyaoku recounted that Buhari not only gave his personal endorsement but also ensured a high-level delegation hand-delivered Nigeria’s letter of support to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

Reflecting on the events surrounding the January 1, 1984 military coup that overthrew the civilian government, Anyaoku expressed deep appreciation for the support and integrity shown by both Buhari and then-Chief of Staff, Tunde Idiagbon.

“I served as Foreign Minister for just three months, and nominations for the Deputy Secretary-General post were due by February 16, 1984. The coup occurred on New Year’s Eve, just weeks before the deadline,” Anyaoku recalled.

Despite the abrupt change in leadership, Buhari allowed him to travel abroad and facilitated the renewal of his candidacy.

“I was the first minister permitted to leave the country by the new military government. Buhari and Idiagbon told me, ‘We know you were not involved in corruption; you are free to go. But we can’t keep you as Foreign Minister,’” he recounted.

Anyaoku said he expressed gratitude for their acknowledgment of his integrity and clarified that he would have declined a position in the military government anyway, as it would have required him to constantly justify the transition from civilian to military service.

He further explained that the re-election process required official backing from a country’s head of state.

“When I informed them, Buhari responded, ‘We will take care of that—I will do it.’ He not only signed the letter but also dispatched the then Secretary to the Government, Liman Chiroma, to personally deliver it to London,” Anyaoku shared.

Although there were three other contenders from various Commonwealth countries, Anyaoku noted that Buhari’s endorsement, coupled with his professional track record, earned him unanimous support for re-election.