Inside Buhari’s Administration: Halima Reveals Tunde’s Grip On Ministers

Fatima Buhari, first daughter of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, has alleged that Tunde Sabiu, her father’s former private secretary, exercised significant influence within the Presidential Villa, controlling document flow, managing access, and wielding authority beyond his official role.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The claim is detailed in From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, a biography by Charles Omole.

Fatima stressed that she was not repeating hearsay but recounting firsthand observations and experiences from her time in the presidential residence. She noted that stories about Sabiu, who was also Buhari’s nephew, were widespread. She recalled a foreign visitor joking in a video clip that seeing the president without Sabiu’s approval was impossible.

Several ministers reportedly acted as though only Sabiu could facilitate progress on government matters. “There was a clear fear within the administration that offending Sabiu could stall or completely halt official initiatives,” Fatima said. She added, “Tunde… had a hold on most of the ministers,” citing corroboration from other sources who spoke with The Cable.

While acknowledging that a private secretary naturally occupies a chokepoint of power, Fatima warned that the position carries the constant risk of overreach. “He was overbearing,” she said. She also recounted a rare moment when her father publicly pushed back against Sabiu, stating, “In front of me, there’s a time that Baba shouted at Tunde,” an unusual rebuke from a leader who generally preferred persuasion over confrontation.

Despite this, the overall system of access control persisted, allowing those in gatekeeping positions to exert considerable influence over official business.

Fatima, a forensic auditor, also raised concerns over alleged forged signatures during her father’s administration. She said she had reviewed documents and presented examples of falsified signatures to her father. While others had flagged similar issues, she did not identify any specific individuals responsible for the forgeries. However, she emphasized that such incidents were not unique to Buhari’s presidency, noting that previous administrations had faced comparable challenges.

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