Former President Muhammadu Buhari deliberately refrained from naming a successor ahead of the 2023 general elections to protect lives and maintain unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC), a new biography has revealed.

According to the book, insights attributed to former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, indicate that Buhari believed openly endorsing a successor could have exposed the individual to serious security risks, including possible assassination, given the tense political climate at the time.

The former president was also said to be concerned that an open endorsement could fracture the APC, deepen internal rivalries, and weaken party cohesion. As a result, he chose to allow the party’s democratic primary process to determine its presidential candidate.

Former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu eventually emerged as the APC flagbearer and went on to win the 2023 presidential election.

The account portrays Buhari as cautious and institution-minded, emphasising his commitment to due process and his desire to ensure a stable political transition without endangering lives or destabilising the ruling party.