In a stunning revelation, Fatima Buhari, daughter of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has alleged that her father’s signature was systematically forged on official documents during his tenure.
The claims are detailed in a new biography, *‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari,’* authored by Charles Omole. Fatima, a forensic auditor by profession, stated that upon reviewing certain presidential documents, she identified forged signatures appended to her father’s name and presented him with the evidence.
According to the book, other officials had also raised concerns about the authenticity of the president’s signature on various documents. Fatima clarified that such forgeries were not an isolated issue unique but a recurring problem witnessed in previous governments.
Altered Speeches and directives
The biography further quotes Fatima detailing instances where the late president’s approved speeches and directives were altered without his consent. One specific incident cited occurred during a trip to the United States, where President Buhari was forced to deviate from his prepared text during a conference after realizing the speech he was given did not match the version he had approved.
“He responded quietly: the text in his hands was not the speech he had approved. Someone had altered it. It was not a rare occurrence, he said. That day, he put the script aside and spoke in his own words,” the book reads.
The narrative describes a culture of “directives diluted in transit” and “statements rephrased to suit other agendas,” attributing it partly to bureaucratic failure and occasionally to deliberate sabotage by a vested “clique.”
Fears of Espionage
In a more grave disclosure, the book reveals that the late president believed his official residence in the State House was under surveillance. This belief was so profound that he and his daughter often resorted to communicating through written notes for sensitive matters, fearing their conversations were being monitored.
“He believes ‘they’ have a listening device planted (‘like a chip’) in his office at the Villa,” the book stated. Security chiefs serving at the time reportedly confirmed discovering unusual objects during routine sweeps of the president’s office and residence.
These allegations paint a picture of a presidency where the chief executive grappled with significant challenges in controlling his own administration’s output and ensuring the security of his communications.
