John Odigie-Oyegun, who now heads the Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has shared details of a past discussion he had with former President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the style of leadership he intended to adopt in office.

During an interview on Arise Television on Friday, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) explained that he sought a private meeting with Buhari less than six months after the administration began. According to him, he was concerned that the direction of governance did not match what many Nigerians had anticipated at the time.

Oyegun said he told the president that citizens appeared to expect a firmer approach reminiscent of Buhari’s earlier reputation. However, he noted that Buhari responded by saying he had learned from past experiences and did not plan to govern with excessive rigidity.

The former APC chairman revealed that this response surprised him, especially given that many influential Nigerians were closely watching the new administration—some even staying abroad temporarily—to observe how the president would handle power.

He added that Buhari emphasized his intention to demonstrate that he was now a fully democratic, civilian leader. Oyegun said the exchange left him worried that a softer stance might weaken expectations of discipline in governance.

Reflecting on events that followed, he lamented that, in his view, the situation eventually returned to familiar patterns, with little change beyond the individuals occupying positions of authority in Aso Rock. He described the moment of that conversation as a major turning point that stayed with him.

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