Aisha Muhammed: How my father’s lifestyle cost him his life

Nkereuwem Effiong

Aisha Muhammed, daughter of Nigeria’s late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, has said her father’s unassuming lifestyle and leadership approach made him vulnerable and ultimately contributed to his assassination.

Aisha, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on ARISE News, as she reflected on her father’s legacy 50 years after his death.

She said the late military leader’s commitment to accountability, responsibility and discipline remains central to his enduring influence in Nigeria’s political history.

According to her, General Muhammed viewed corruption as a destructive force capable of undermining society and demonstrated his zero-tolerance stance not just in words, but through his personal conduct and leadership style.

“He led with clarity and believed strongly in accountability and responsibility. His anti-corruption stance was not something he merely talked about. He genuinely believed corruption was a cankerworm that would destroy our society, and 50 years later, we can see the consequences,” she said.

Aisha explained that her father deliberately avoided the trappings of power, including heavy security details, long motorcades and sirens, choosing instead to live like an ordinary Nigerian.

She noted that this simplicity directly contributed to his assassination on February 13, 1976, while he was travelling in traffic like other road users.

“My father did not move around with motorcades, sirens or a large security presence. That was who he was. He embodied the leadership he believed in,” she said.

She added that his lack of extensive security made it easier for the coup plotters to carry out the attack.

“He was in traffic just like everyone else. The traffic wardens stopped his vehicle, and while they were stationary, the coup plotters emerged and shot him,” she explained.

General Muhammed came to power in a bloodless coup in July 1975, which removed General Yakubu Gowon from office. He was assassinated during an abortive coup on February 13, 1976, barely six months after becoming Nigeria’s Head of State.

During his brief 200-day tenure, Muhammed introduced far-reaching reforms, including the dismissal of more than 10,000 public officials accused of corruption, the creation of seven new states, and the initiation of plans for a transition to civilian rule. His administration also began the process that eventually led to the relocation of Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.