Fatima Buhari, daughter of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has shed light on why her father found it difficult to distance himself from his nephew and longtime associate, Mamman Daura, despite widespread concerns about Daura’s influence during his presidency.
Fatima disclosed in a newly released book titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr Charles Omole, Director General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research. The book was presented in Abuja on Monday.
According to Fatima, Buhari’s bond with Daura was deeply rooted in family ties and decades of shared history, rather than political convenience. She explained that Daura’s father and Buhari shared the same mother, making them brothers in the African sense.
“Mamman Daura’s father shared the same mother as my father,” she said.
She noted that their relationship dated back to their early years at Dodan Barracks and had been strengthened over time by trust, loyalty, and shared experiences. Fatima said Buhari was often aware of complaints and criticism directed at Daura but struggled to sever the relationship completely.
“Baba will personally tell us that he did this, he did that to him, but he’s still with him,” she recalled.
The book also reveals that Daura remained close to Buhari during his detention following the 1985 military coup. Fatima said while family members were denied access to her father at the time, Daura was allowed to visit regularly.
“We were not allowed to see him. Only Mamman had access. I kept asking myself, ‘Why was it always Mamman between Baba and the family?’” she said.
According to Fatima, Buhari’s strong sense of loyalty, gratitude, and family obligation shaped many of his decisions, even when the closeness caused tension or controversy. She added that some individuals exploited his reluctance to embarrass or publicly dismiss those he trusted.
She explained that as Buhari grew older and became more religious, he became even more cautious about ending relationships.
“He understands the web of relationships; parents, spouses, histories and he doesn’t want to break hope,” she said.
Fatima added that once Buhari trusted someone, it was difficult for him to withdraw that trust without overwhelming proof. Even then, she said he preferred private warnings over public action.
“Before he realises it, that person has committed many atrocities,” she said, noting that her father did not enjoy humiliating people.
Her remarks also revive memories of the public rift between the Buhari and Daura families during his presidency. The feud became public after a video circulated online showing former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, complaining about being locked out of a room in the Presidential Villa and demanding that certain individuals vacate the apartment.
The video was recorded by Fatima, daughter of Mamman Daura, who accused Aisha of attacking her at the Villa. On her return from the United Kingdom in October 2019, Aisha confirmed in a BBC Hausa audio clip that she was the woman in the video.
Aisha accused Daura’s daughter of recording the incident while security personnel stood by. She later apologised to her children, family members, and the public over the episode.
The incident sparked widespread debate, with some legal experts and commentators describing it as damaging to the presidency, while others maintained it was strictly a family matter.
