Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has disclosed that he once contemplated resigning from the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the period as one of the most challenging moments of his political career.
Speaking at the launch of his book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration, in Abuja on December 17, 2025, Mohammed said the book provides an insider account of government communication strategies during Buhari’s tenure. “During the EndSARS, one of the toughest moments in my life was when my family met. They had a meeting and they asked me to resign. They were bullied online. They were bullied offline. Their businesses—they’d had enough. They said, ‘look, wait a minute. We are not benefiting from this thing. So why are you exposing us?’” he recounted.
Mohammed, a Kwara State politician who served from November 2015 to May 2023, highlighted that the unrest during the EndSARS protests, particularly the Lekki toll gate shooting on October 20, 2020, placed immense pressure on him and his family. Amnesty International reported that at least 12 unarmed protesters were killed during the incident.
He described the aftermath as “turbulent,” adding that he had to explain to his family that the decisions he made were based on considerations they could not fully see. “And I had to sit them down and tell them it’s not as easy as that. There are things I know. There are things that I see that you cannot see,” he said.
The book launch, which coincided with Buhari’s birthday, was attended by prominent figures including former First Lady Aisha Buhari, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika.
Mohammed, who also served as the APC National Publicity Secretary, emphasised that Headlines and Soundbites provides readers with insights into the complexities of government communication, political pressure, and the difficult choices faced by public officials during periods of national crisis.
