Halima Buhari, daughter of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that her late father was fully aware of the criticisms and disappointment many Nigerians expressed over his administration.
She made this disclosure on Wednesday, December 17, during the presentation of a book authored by former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, according to the Nigerian Tribune.
Speaking before an audience of former ministers, ex-governors, traditional rulers and political party leaders, Halima Buhari said her father understood that many Nigerians who placed great hope in his leadership—particularly in tackling insecurity and reviving the economy—felt let down by his performance.
She reflected on the challenges he faced in office, noting that leadership in Nigeria often exposes a wide gap between ideal expectations and practical realities.
“Behind every soundbite, there was a human being; sometimes tired, sometimes determined, sometimes frustrated, always painfully aware that his decisions impacted millions of lives,” she said.
Halima Buhari explained that while Nigerians knew him as President Buhari, at home he was simply “Baba,” a man who listened more than he spoke and often agonised over the difficult choices required of leadership.
She emphasised that her father was not detached from public opinion, stating that he heard both the voices of those who felt disappointed and those who believed their lives had improved under his administration.
According to her, the purpose of the book presentation was not to rewrite history or force a single narrative about Buhari’s years in office, but to contribute to ongoing national conversations about his legacy.
“Nigerians will continue to debate his legacy, as they should in a vibrant democracy,” she said, adding that the book offers an insider’s perspective on governance and the pressures of managing public perception while in power.