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Lai Mohammed reveals he almost resigned during a difficult period under Buhari’s administration
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Former minister speaks at the launch of his book on government communication and media narratives
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Says Africans must tell their own stories to avoid historical distortion
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has revealed that he nearly resigned from office during what he described as the most challenging period of the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mohammed made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of his book titled “Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration.”
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He said the moment marked the toughest decision of his ministerial career, noting that his prolonged access to government decision-making placed on him the responsibility of preserving an accurate historical record and correcting long-standing misconceptions.
“The toughest decision I took as minister was at a moment when I almost resigned,” he said.
Mohammed, who served two terms in Buhari’s cabinet, explained that the book provides an insider account of how narratives around the Buhari administration were shaped, defended and communicated amid crises, misinformation and intense public scrutiny.
“For almost eight years, I was at the centre of government communication, crisis management, national orientation, culture and tourism. I witnessed how decisions were taken and how misinformation often overshadowed facts,” he said.
According to him, the decision to document his experience was driven by the belief that Africans must tell their own stories or risk having their histories distorted by others.
He said the publication was written to provide context, correct misconceptions and offer first-hand insights from his years in government.
Reviewing the book, former presidential spokesman Segun Adeniyi observed that some controversial issues, including the Twitter suspension and the #EndSARS protests, were addressed in a manner that read more like legal arguments than balanced historical narratives.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, praised Lai Mohammed’s contributions, describing him as one of the most criticised ministers under the Buhari administration due to his role in defending government policies.
Meanwhile, Halima Buhari, a daughter of the late former president, said her father was fully aware of the criticisms directed at his administration while he was in office.
Representing former First Lady Aisha Buhari, she said, “He heard both the disappointment of critics and the appreciation of supporters.”
