Buhari Had No Inclination to Manipulate Elections — Ex-DSS Chief

Yusuf Magaji Bichi, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), has said that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was not disposed to rigging elections, describing him as a leader committed to democratic principles.

Bichi made the assertion on Monday in Abuja at the public presentation of Buhari’s biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Dr Charles Omole.

According to the former intelligence chief, Buhari’s record in office reflected integrity, discipline and respect for the rule of law, insisting that electoral manipulation was alien to his leadership style.

“President Buhari will never rig an election,” Bichi said, while commending President Bola Tinubu for sustaining what he described as Buhari’s legacies of purposeful leadership, democratic governance and commitment to credible elections.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to uphold and advance the ideals associated with Buhari’s public service.

“A legacy is given greater meaning when those who come after choose to build on what has been started. That is my duty,” Tinubu said.

He added that Buhari consistently demonstrated love for Nigeria through fidelity to his oath of office, noting that even critics often acknowledged his personal honesty and discipline.

Also speaking, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, praised Buhari’s dedication to national service, both as a military officer and as a civilian President.

Amao recalled that during his tenure as Chief of Air Staff, Buhari exhibited statesmanship in addressing security challenges, stressing that the former President understood that military authority must always be exercised in support of democratic governance.