Hajiya Aisha Buhari, widow of the late Muhammadu Buhari, former president of Nigeria, has said her husband retained several underperforming appointees during his eight years in office because he feared being labelled a dictator.
Aisha disclosed this in a new book titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Charles Omole and launched on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to her account, Buhari became increasingly cautious about making sweeping changes to his cabinet and inner circle due to concerns that decisive actions could reinforce perceptions of authoritarianism.
She said shortly after Buhari assumed office, the political environment around him changed significantly, with many long-time allies sidelined and familiar faces allegedly barred from the presidential villa.
Aisha said some of those excluded were reportedly flagged by security operatives despite their roles in Buhari’s political rise.
She said her private concerns about the growing disconnect between the administration and its original support base did not lead to significant changes.
Aisha said this lack of response compelled her to raise the issues publicly.
The former first lady said there was a widening gap between the ideals that powered Buhari’s political movement and the realities of governance.
She lamented that loyal campaign supporters were excluded while technocrats and individuals aligned with other political interests dominated the inner circle.
Aisha said: “They had money; they had people; but they did not have the power to install a president.”
She added that governance was eventually reduced to what she described as “a sitting-room meeting”.
Aisha said many individuals around Buhari were more interested in personal gains such as money, access and contracts than in public service.
She said this attitude contributed to operational dysfunction within the presidency.
Despite the criticism, Aisha maintained that Buhari’s inaction was driven by his desire to avoid being perceived as authoritarian.
She said: “He had the wrong people in the right places,” adding that Buhari “didn’t change them for eight years.”
