Buba Galadima Declares Buhari ‘Politically Irrelevant,’ Calls for Exit from Public Life

In a scathing assessment that has stirred political circles, Buba Galadima, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and now a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has declared that former President Muhammadu Buhari has lost all relevance in Nigeria’s political discourse. Galadima, once a close ally of Buhari, accused the ex-leader of being the “greatest fraud” in Nigeria’s political history, saying he disappointed the masses and no longer holds any sway over the country’s political future.

In an exclusive interview with Punch, Galadima didn’t mince words. He mocked those who still visit Buhari in his hometown, describing such political pilgrimages as laughable and out of touch with reality. According to Galadima, Buhari has little to offer in the current political terrain and should instead retreat into private life, seek divine forgiveness, and await the inevitable end of life.

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Galadima Labels Buhari “The Greatest Political Fraud”

When asked what led to his dramatic falling out with Buhari, Galadima revealed that the disillusionment was long in the making. While he initially believed in Buhari’s vision, the NNPP leader said he eventually came to the conclusion that Buhari had grossly misled Nigerians for over a decade.

“I was number four on the list of people who signed the form for the creation of APC,” Galadima recounted. “But I later discovered that Buhari is the greatest fraud that has happened to Nigeria. He was fake.”

He said Buhari had cultivated an image of simplicity and compassion for the masses over the course of 15 years, an image that turned out to be false. “No Nigerian could predict what he would do once he became president,” Galadima added. “We didn’t know his true colours. For years, Buhari preached that he was for the talakawas—the common people—without realising he was actually the saviour of the bourgeois.”

The betrayal, Galadima said, was not just personal but national in scale. He believes millions of Nigerians were misled by Buhari’s carefully curated image as a messiah figure, only to later realize they had been supporting a man whose policies and governance failed to meet expectations.

“He Should Seek Forgiveness, Not Power”

Perhaps the most dramatic moment of Galadima’s interview was his stark advice to Buhari: exit politics and prepare for the afterlife.

“The man should just go and rest and wait for his death, and start doing astaghfirullah (seeking forgiveness from God) for dashing the hopes of the people of Nigeria,” he said.

The comments, though controversial, highlight the deep divisions and resentments that have emerged within Nigeria’s political elite in the wake of Buhari’s presidency. Galadima’s words reflect not just personal bitterness, but a broader critique shared by many who feel the Buhari administration failed to deliver on key promises of security, anti-corruption, and economic reform.

Galadima further insisted that Buhari did not actually win the 2019 presidential election, suggesting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was the rightful victor. “Because they did not declare Atiku as the winner does not mean he didn’t win that election,” he said, reinforcing his long-held belief that electoral manipulation played a role in Buhari’s re-election.

Implications for Buhari’s Legacy

Galadima’s remarks come at a time when Buhari’s legacy is being intensely debated in Nigeria. While some still view him as a disciplined leader who stabilized the country during turbulent times, critics argue that his administration left the economy in worse shape and failed to unite the nation.

The assertion that Buhari is now irrelevant politically signals a shift among some former allies, many of whom feel their support was betrayed by unmet expectations. If Galadima’s sentiments resonate among other political stakeholders, it could further erode Buhari’s influence within the APC and among the northern elite who once viewed him as an icon of integrity.

Moreover, Galadima’s switch from the APC to the NNPP highlights the broader trend of political reconfiguration ahead of the 2027 elections. His public denouncement of Buhari could also be an attempt to redefine the NNPP as a platform for disenchanted voters who feel let down by the former administration.

As Nigeria continues to navigate its post-Buhari era, the country’s political narrative is being shaped by figures like Galadima, who are willing to openly challenge the myths and legacies of recent leaders. Whether one agrees or not with his dramatic choice of words, his message is clear: in his view, the time of Buhari has passed.