Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, has offered insight into why former President Muhammadu Buhari chose not to anoint a successor ahead of the 2023 presidential election, a decision that sparked significant speculation and debate within political circles.
In an interview with national media outlets, Bichi, who served as the DSS chief under Buhari’s administration, said the former president’s decision was rooted in principles of democracy and institutional integrity. According to Bichi, Buhari believed that endorsing a candidate would undermine the credibility of the electoral process and potentially deepen divisions within the ruling party.
Bichi explained that Buhari’s refusal to anoint a successor was intended to allow party structures and the electorate to exercise their judgment freely, rather than creating a scenario where a presidential endorsement would be viewed as coercive or predetermining the outcome. He noted that Buhari consistently emphasised adherence to constitutional norms and the need to respect the autonomy of political institutions.
The former DSS head also suggested that Buhari’s decision reflected a broader strategic calculation to maintain national unity and stability. By avoiding a public endorsement, Buhari, according to Bichi, sought to prevent internal party conflicts and reduce the risk of political factionalism that might have escalated in the run-up to the 2023 election.
Bichi’s comments come amid continuing discussion over the influence of former presidents on party politics in Nigeria. Analysts note that Buhari’s approach was unusual in a political environment where outgoing leaders often actively shape succession plans, but it aligns with a rhetoric of institutional respect and non-interference that characterized his later years in office.
The revelation sheds light on the thinking behind a pivotal decision in Nigeria’s recent political history, illustrating how considerations of democratic propriety, party cohesion, and national interest informed the former president’s choice.
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