Aisha Muhammed, daughter of former Nigerian Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, has disclosed the real reason her father was killed
According to Aisha, her father’s modest lifestyle and uncompromising leadership philosophy made him vulnerable to assassination.
Speaking on Monday on ARISE News’ Morning Show, as Nigeria marked 50 years since the late leader’s death, Aisha reflected on her father’s values, describing him as a leader who practised what he preached.
According to her, General Muhammed was deeply committed to accountability, responsibility and discipline, and viewed corruption as a major threat to society.
“I think his leadership style was clear. He led with clarity. He believed in accountability. He believed in responsibility,” she said.
Aisha noted that her father did not merely speak against corruption but lived an anti-corruption life, stressing that he saw it as a “cankerworm” capable of destroying the nation.
“We are all familiar with his anti-corruption stance. Corruption was not something he just talked about… 50 years later, look at what has happened,” she added.
She explained that the former Head of State intentionally avoided the excesses of power, refusing long motorcades, blaring sirens or heavy security, preferring to live like the average Nigerian
“My father didn’t go around with motorcades and sirens or a lot of security. That was who he was,” Aisha said.
According to her, this simplicity ultimately made it easier for the coup plotters to assassinate him on February 13, 1976.
“That was why it was actually easy to assassinate him. He didn’t have a whole slew of security with him.
“He was in traffic like everybody else,” she said, recounting how he was stopped by traffic wardens before the attackers struck.
General Muhammed assumed power through a bloodless coup in July 1975 that removed General Yakubu Gowon but was killed barely six months later during a failed coup.
Despite his brief 200-day rule, he is remembered for far-reaching reforms, including the dismissal of more than 10,000 public officials over corruption allegations, the creation of seven new states, and initiating Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule.
His administration also laid the foundation for relocating the nation’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.