Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has urged Nigerians to allow late President Muhammadu Buhari to “rest in peace”, warning that a newly launched book on the former leader risks reopening old political wounds and turning his legacy into a weapon for narrow interests.
El-Rufai’s reaction follows the launch of the book, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Charles Omole and unveiled on Monday at the State House by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the former governor said the event had reignited divisions that trailed Buhari throughout his political life, noting that the faces dominating the book launch mirrored long-standing factional splits within Buhari’s inner circle.
“A careful look at those who dominated the book launch revealed the same factional lines that existed during Buhari’s lifetime,” he said.
He described the absence of some of Buhari’s close allies, as well as the choice of venue, as troubling signs that all was not well with the motive behind the event.
El-Rufai also took aim at what he described as the presence of Buhari’s long-time critics at the launch, accusing them of offering hollow praise after years of political distance and opposition.
“More troubling was the presence of long-time critics of Buhari, some of whom now hold high office, delivering glowing, but clearly faked tributes,” he said.
“It was unsettling to see individuals celebrating Buhari in death who had neither his trust nor his respect in life.”
He stressed that Buhari was not a leader known for tolerating disrespect, whether personal or political, and questioned the sincerity of some of the tributes delivered at the event.
Although he said he had not yet read the book, el-Rufai cautioned against what he called selective storytelling about a man no longer alive to respond or defend himself.
“Explaining the thoughts and motivations of a complex leader through selective anecdotes risks distorting, rather than preserving, his legacy,” he said.
The former governor admitted that Buhari’s presidency fell short of the expectations of many Nigerians, including his supporters. However, he argued that much of the failure should be attributed to the actions and shortcomings of influential figures around the former president rather than Buhari himself.
“As someone who worked closely with him in opposition, political, and governance roles for over a decade, I believe much of his administration’s shortcomings stemmed from the actions and failures of a powerful inner circle,” he said.
El-Rufai described Buhari as “a man of deep faith, personal discipline, and unquestioned patriotism”, urging those now invoking his name for political or personal gain to examine whether they lived by the same principles.
“My appeal here is simple: to all Nigerians, admirers and critics alike—let President Muhammadu Buhari rest in peace,” he said.
He concluded by calling for Buhari’s legacy to be left to history, warning against opportunism, revisionism, and attempts to reshape the former president’s record for present-day interests.
