Aisha Muhammed, daughter of former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, has said her father’s lifestyle and leadership approach made it easy for those who assassinated him to carry out the attack.
Speaking on ARISE News’ Morning Show to mark the 50th anniversary of his death, Aisha said the late military leader avoided motorcades, sirens and heavy security, choosing instead to live like other Nigerians.
“If you know, my father didn’t go around with motorcades and sirens and a lot of security. That was what he embodied,” she said.
She explained that this decision placed him in a vulnerable position on February 13, 1976, when he was killed during an abortive coup.
“That was why it was actually easy to assassinate him, because he didn’t have a whole slew of security with him. He was in traffic just like everybody else. The traffic wardens stopped them, and they stopped just like everybody else, and that was when the coup plotters came out and he was shot,” she said.
Aisha, who is also the chief executive officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, said her father’s leadership style was rooted in accountability, responsibility and discipline.
“I think his leadership style was clear. He believed in accountability. He believed in responsibility,” she said.
She added that General Muhammed viewed corruption as a threat to society and lived according to his beliefs.
“He actually felt that corruption was a cankerworm that was going to destroy our society, and 50 years later, look at what has happened,” she said.
Murtala Muhammed came to power in July 1975 after a coup that removed General Yakubu Gowon.
He was assassinated on February 13, 1976, about six months after assuming office.
During his 200 days in power, his administration dismissed more than 10,000 public officials accused of corruption, created seven new states and began plans for a transition to civilian rule.
His government also initiated the process that later led to the relocation of Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.
