Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has shed fresh light on the reasons behind his inclusion in the first cabinet of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the decision was rooted in years of proven loyalty, shared values and political consistency.
Mohammed made the revelation in his memoir, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, where he reflected on his journey into government and his long-standing relationship with Buhari.
He explained that his appointment was not sudden or accidental but the culmination of a working relationship that began years before Buhari assumed office.
According to him, Buhari had closely observed his roles within the opposition and the All Progressives Congress, particularly his communication efforts and unwavering support during challenging political periods.
The former minister disclosed that Buhari’s confidence in him became evident even before the cabinet was formed, when he was personally selected to join the presidential transition committee tasked with managing the handover from the previous administration.
Mohammed recalled receiving an unexpected call that signaled the former president’s direct involvement in his appointment, an experience he described as a turning point in their professional relationship.
He noted that despite not initially being named among early appointees, he remained focused on the party’s victory and the success of the incoming government rather than personal expectations.
According to Mohammed, Buhari’s trust extended beyond appointments, as he was later asked to play advisory roles at critical moments, including preparations marking the administration’s early milestones.
Tracing their connection further, Mohammed said Buhari had supported his intellectual work years earlier and maintained regular political engagement with him during the formation of the APC and the 2015 election campaign.
He added that these years of interaction, mutual respect and ideological alignment ultimately informed Buhari’s decision to bring him into government, where he served for nearly eight years.
