Gambari Defends Buhari’s Legacy, Says History Will Judge Him Favorably
By Abiola Olawale
Former Chief of Staff Highlights Buhari’s Security and Anti-Corruption Achievements
Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Nigeria’s renowned scholar-diplomat and former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has offered a robust defense of his former principal’s legacy, asserting that history will remember Buhari’s administration positively for its significant contributions to national security and governance.
The distinguished international relations expert, who previously served as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister and United Nations Under-Secretary-General, shared his perspectives during a recent interview on Arise TV.
Security Transformation Under Buhari
Gambari emphasized Buhari’s success in reclaiming Nigerian territories from Boko Haram control, noting that when the former president assumed office in 2015, the terrorist group held sway over 17 local government areas in the northeast.
“By the time he left, no part of Nigeria was under the control of Boko Haram,” Gambari stated, while acknowledging that the group had shifted to targeting softer objectives. “He inherited an awful situation where the Islamic flag was hoisted in these areas.”
The former UN diplomat stressed that security challenges require more than military solutions: “If the problem of security were easy to solve, it would have been solved. And if it could have been solved by military means alone, it would have been solved.”
Holistic Approach to National Challenges
Gambari advocated for a comprehensive strategy to address Nigeria’s security concerns: “We cannot leave the solution to the security situation in regard to one man alone. Of course, as president, he takes primary responsibility… But this has to be an all-of-government, all-of-nation approach.”
The professor highlighted Buhari’s personal integrity as a cornerstone of his anti-corruption efforts: “On the issue of corruption, again, he led by example… Nobody could say he was a thief or that he made away with the government treasury.”
He noted the administration’s institutional approach to fighting graft through established agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Infrastructure and Social Investments
Beyond security, Gambari pointed to Buhari’s administration’s investments in critical infrastructure and social welfare programs, particularly the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) which provided economic support to millions of Nigerians.
Gambari’s Distinguished Career
The New Diplomat reports that prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff (2020-2023), Gambari had an illustrious diplomatic career including serving as:
- Under-Secretary General of the United Nations
- Nigeria’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the UN
- Joint Special Representative of the UN and African Union in Darfur
- President of the United Nations Security Council
As the first and only African to serve as UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Gambari brings unique perspective to his assessment of Buhari’s presidency.
Historical Perspective on Buhari’s Legacy
Concluding his remarks, Gambari expressed confidence in history’s verdict: “I think history will be kind to him. I’m convinced about that.” His defense comes amid ongoing national debates about the Buhari administration’s eight-year tenure.
For more details on this story, read the original report on New Diplomat.