Gowon: Buhari Governed Nigeria Without Regional Bias, Treated All Equally

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has said late former President Muhammadu Buhari governed Nigeria without regional bias, insisting that he treated every part of the country fairly throughout his eight years in office.

Gowon made the remarks on Monday during Buhari’s first year remembrance held in Abuja, where he paid tribute to the late leader’s commitment to national unity and public service.

According to the former military ruler, Buhari’s administration was guided by fairness and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical location.

“He takes care of all people in the country. And his time in office was to take care of all Nigerians, not only the North,” Gowon said.

He dismissed claims that Buhari governed primarily in the interest of northern Nigeria, describing such perceptions as inaccurate.

“Some people think that, yes, he was only president for the North. No, he made sure that all the states were treated equally, all parts of the country were treated equally and fairly. And so this is a credit to him,” he added.

Gowon also praised Buhari’s years of public service, saying the late president devoted himself to serving the country and should be remembered for his dedication.

“I would like to thank all of you for coming to this first year remembrance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s years of service that he did and gave his best to the country,” he said.

Reflecting on the 2015 presidential election, Gowon recalled the anxiety among African leaders during an African Union meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over fears that the outcome could trigger violence in Nigeria.

He noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat before the final declaration of results helped preserve peace and strengthened Nigeria’s democracy.

“At that time, the fear of all the delegates at the AU was so much because they were worried about what would happen to Nigeria. But President Jonathan accepted the result even before it was finally confirmed,” Gowon recalled.

Buhari served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023 after previously leading the country as military Head of State between December 1983 and August 1985. He died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 following a prolonged illness.