"He Knew Nigerians Were DisappointedÔÇØ - Halima Buhari Opens Up on Late Father's Pain, Criticism, and Unseen Struggles

Halima Buhari, daughter of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has delivered one of the most emotionally revealing reflections yet on her father's years in power, admitting openly that he was deeply aware of the disappointment many Nigerians felt about his administration.

She made the disclosure on Wednesday, December 17, during the public presentation of a book authored by former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, an event that drew an influential audience of former ministers, ex-governors, traditional rulers, and political stakeholders.

In what many described as a rare and deeply human account, Halima Buhari said her father fully understood that millions of Nigerians who had invested hope in his leadership especially on security, economic recovery, and national stability felt that expectations were not fully met.

According to her, the former president often struggled privately with the heavy contradictions of leadership in a country as complex and demanding as Nigeria.

"Behind every soundbite, there was a human being sometimes tired, sometimes determined, sometimes frustrated, always painfully aware that his decisions impacted millions of lives,ÔÇØ she told the audience.

She explained that the side of Buhari known within the family was far removed from the rigid, distant public image often portrayed in the media.

"That human being was our father. I saw a side of him that never appeared on television and was rarely captured in print,ÔÇØ she said.

Halima described Buhari as a quiet and reflective man who preferred listening to speaking, and who carried the nation's worries deeply, even in moments of silence.

"I saw the man who would sit quietly, listening more than he spoke. The man who worried about the security of ordinary people. The man who agonised over the gap between what was promised and what was possible,ÔÇØ she added.

She noted that while Nigerians saw a president, the family simply saw "BabaÔÇØ, a man burdened by responsibility, aware of criticism, and conscious of unmet expectations.

Addressing the broader question of leadership, Halima stressed that governing Nigeria is never straightforward and often demands painful compromises.

"Leadership, especially in a country as complex as Nigeria, is never as straightforward as it looks from the outside. It involves trade-offs, compromises, and very often, imperfect choices,ÔÇØ she said.

Contrary to claims that Buhari was insulated from dissenting voices, Halima insisted her father was fully aware of both praise and criticism.

"My father was not unaware of the criticism levelled against him. He knew that many Nigerians felt that more would have been done or done differently,ÔÇØ she stated.

She emphasised that the occasion was not an attempt to sanitise or rewrite Buhari's legacy, acknowledging that public debate over his presidency remains legitimate and necessary in a democracy.

"Nigerians will continue to debate his legacy as they should in a vibrant democracy,ÔÇØ she said.

Halima also referenced the book by Lai Mohammed as a valuable insider contribution to understanding the pressures of governance and public communication.

"This particular book, written by someone who was in the inner circle of communication and messaging, provides one important perspective of how an administration must be shaped and sometimes challenged in the court of public opinion,ÔÇØ she concluded.

Her remarks have since reignited conversations nationwide about Buhari's presidency, leadership burden, and the human cost of power, adding a personal layer to an already contested legacy.