Former DSS Director-General Lawal Daura opens up on how opportunists exploited the late former President Muhammadu Buhari’s trust during his time in office.
Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, has broken his silence with a revelation that many Nigerians may have long suspected — that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was not ill-intentioned, but was rather a man surrounded by the wrong people.
According to Daura, Buhari’s inner circle was packed full of sycophants — the kind of people Nigerians call “yes-men” — individuals who told the former president only what he wanted to hear, while quietly working against his interests and exploiting their privileged positions for personal gain.
The Danger of Keeping Wrong Company at Aso Rock
Any Nigerian who has ever heard the saying “show me your friend and I’ll tell you who you are” will understand exactly what Daura is pointing at. Power, they say, attracts all manner of people — genuine loyalists and dangerous opportunists alike. And according to Daura, Buhari had more of the latter than the former.
These were individuals who wore the garment of loyalty but harboured selfish agendas underneath. Rather than offering honest counsel, they chose flattery. Rather than protecting the President’s legacy, they reportedly took advantage of his trust to feather their own nests.
A Leader Betrayed From Within
Daura’s comments paint a picture of a President who, despite his well-known stern disposition and anti-corruption rhetoric, may have been let down not by his enemies — but by those closest to him.
This is not entirely surprising to many political watchers in Nigeria. The Buhari administration was frequently criticised for policy inconsistencies, poor communication, and decisions that often left ordinary Nigerians scratching their heads. If Daura’s account is accurate, some of those failures may trace back directly to the poisoned advice and self-serving actions of those whispering into the President’s ear.
What This Means for Nigerian Governance
Daura’s revelation raises a bigger question that goes beyond Buhari — it speaks to a systemic problem in Nigerian governance. How do leaders at all levels — from local government chairmen to state governors to the presidency — ensure that those around them are genuinely committed to the public good and not just riding the wave of proximity to power?
For ordinary Nigerians who bore the brunt of fuel scarcity, insecurity, and economic hardship during those years, this explanation may offer little comfort. But it does serve as a reminder that leadership accountability must go beyond the man at the top — those who advise, implement, and execute policy carry enormous responsibility too.
Final Thoughts
Lawal Daura’s words deserve serious reflection. As Nigeria continues to grapple with governance challenges under President Bola Tinubu, the lesson here is clear — surround yourself with truth-tellers, not praise-singers.
The late Buhari, whatever his shortcomings, deserved better from those he trusted. And frankly, so did Nigerians.
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What do you think? Was Buhari a victim of bad advisers, or does the buck stop entirely with him? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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