Governor Sule Says Buhari Was Misled by Sycophants Who Later Turned Against Him

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has said that former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was weakened by praise-singers and sycophants, many of whom have now turned against him since leaving office.

Governor Sule made the remark over the weekend in Abuja during the 2nd Raymond Dokpesi Diamond Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), where he was also conferred with a Fellowship of the Institute.

The event, held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Asokoro, brought together senior government officials, media executives, and communication professionals who paid glowing tributes to the late media mogul and founder of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

Reflecting on leadership and integrity, Governor Sule warned against the dangers of flattery in governance, saying sycophancy often undermines good leadership and accountability.

“As a governor, I have seen what sycophancy can do. I have seen people sit before President Muhammadu Buhari and tell him, ‘You are the best ever; nobody can do better.’ But the moment Buhari left government, these same people began saying, ‘He was one of the worst presidents we ever had.’ The same people—different moments. That’s what sycophancy is all about,” Sule said.

Recounting his political journey, the governor spoke about his first attempt to contest the governorship in 2007 after returning from the United States—an experience that exposed him to what he called the murky nature of Nigerian politics.

“At the end of every meeting, they would ask for money, and I’d tell them I didn’t have naira, only dollars. They’d say, ‘That’s okay!’” he joked, drawing laughter from the audience.

Governor Sule also highlighted his efforts to resolve the long-standing border clashes between farmers and herders along the Nasarawa–Benue boundary, noting that he chose not to inherit the hostilities between his predecessor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, and former Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom.

“My father always told me not to inherit enemies. That was why I led a delegation of traditional rulers from Nasarawa to visit Governor Ortom, where we comprehensively addressed the issues,” he said.

He credited his eventual emergence as governor in 2019 to the encouragement and support of Al-Makura, who convinced him to run while he was still an executive at the Dangote Group.

“Having experienced the politics of 2007, I was cautious. But Al-Makura promised to resolve every issue I raised—and true to his word, he did,” Sule recalled.

Contrasting his loyalty to Al-Makura with the betrayal faced by Buhari, the governor said he would remain eternally grateful to his predecessor. “I will forever be grateful to Al-Makura,” he declared, pledging never to allow political differences to strain their relationship.

Governor Sule also paid tribute to the late Chief Raymond Dokpesi, describing him as a courageous media pioneer who challenged government monopoly during the military era.

“We are here to celebrate an icon of the media. Dokpesi was not afraid to speak truth to power, even during difficult times,” he said.

In his remarks, NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended Governor Sule for donating land to the institute for the establishment of its first global Public Relations University in Nasarawa State.

He noted that the project was already at an advanced stage and would serve as a hub for training ethical communicators, visionary leaders, and development-oriented professionals.

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