Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has revealed that her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, was vulnerable to manipulation by members of his extended family and long-time associates.
Aisha made this disclosure in a newly released biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr Charles Omole.
According to her account, Buhari’s strong emotional attachment to extended relatives and old friends made him susceptible to undue influence, a situation she said affected key decisions during his time in office.
She explained that during Buhari’s first term as president, many of their children were living and studying abroad, creating a vacuum that was filled by extended family members who moved into several residences within the Presidential Villa.
Aisha noted that this closeness was exploited by individuals who understood Buhari’s weaknesses, to the detriment of the broader goals of his administration.
“Because of his fondness and attachment to his extended family and old friends, Buhari became vulnerable to different forms of scheming and manipulation,” the book quoted her as saying.
Meanwhile, the former First Lady also addressed long-standing speculation surrounding Buhari’s death, clarifying that he died from pneumonia, not cancer as widely rumoured.
The biography detailed that Buhari’s final days were emotionally and physically challenging for his family, following the completion of his eight-year presidency. Aisha described his last moments as particularly difficult, involving time in intensive care before his condition worsened.
She disclosed that Buhari’s health deteriorated significantly in the year after leaving office, leading to frequent overseas medical trips, particularly to the United Kingdom.
Aisha attributed his prolonged illness to years of harsh physical exposure during his military career, including extended periods in cold and damp conditions while serving in the field.
She also acknowledged that Buhari had smoked earlier in life and said age further complicated his health challenges.
According to the book, doctors diagnosed Buhari with acute pneumonia, a condition that sparked public debate. However, Aisha maintained that pneumonia can be fatal in elderly individuals, especially those with a long history of physical strain and respiratory exposure.
She further shared intimate details from Buhari’s final hours, including the presence of his children at the hospital and efforts by medical staff to ease his breathing before his passing.