Former First Lady Aisha Buhari shared insights about her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, revealing that he “began locking his room” due to gossip in Aso Rock suggesting that she planned to harm him.
In her account, detailed in a new biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari by Dr. Charles Omole, she discusses how Buhari’s health issues began with a broken routine and mismanaged nutrition rather than any mysterious illness or poisoning.
Aisha emphasized that she had long been responsible for her husband’s meals, which helped him maintain his health. She described a consistent feeding schedule that included tailored vitamin supplements and wholesome meals, essential for his well-being. However, the deterioration of this routine, compounded by fear and gossip, disrupted his health.
She narrated how this gossip led to changes in Buhari’s habits, resulting in missed meals and eventually a severe medical crisis that required extended treatment in the UK. Aisha noted that the rumors about her intentions were unfounded and detrimental, stating that they significantly impacted Buhari’s health management.
Throughout the biography, she reflects on the challenges of maintaining a healthy routine amidst the pressures of public life and the mistrust within the presidency. Aisha also addressed conspiracy theories, including the rumor that Buhari had a body double, asserting that better communication within the government could have deflected such misunderstandings.
The book provides a personal glimpse into the late president’s life and the dynamics within the first family while also discussing broader issues regarding trust in Nigeria’s leadership and healthcare system.
