Femi Adesina, former Presidential spokesman, has shared insights from his new book, “Working with Buhari: Reflections Of A Special Adviser, Media And Publicity (2015 – 2023),” revealing what Aisha Buhari, the immediate First Lady, told him about President Muhammadu Buhari’s health during his illness in 2017.
Adesina disclosed that Aisha Buhari informed him that the president was not terminally ill but rather “overworked and stressed.” The revelation was made ahead of a visit to President Buhari in London in 2017, during a period of intense media pressure and speculation about the president’s health.
The former presidential spokesman highlighted the challenges he faced, with media expecting him to declare President Buhari either incapacitated or deceased. Adesina recounted a significant visit to London in August 2017, organized by the First Lady, which included notable figures such as the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Garba Shehu, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Lauretta Onochie.
Adesina quoted Aisha Buhari’s words during the planning of the visit: “My husband is not terminally ill. He is just stressed and overworked. I have been warning about it since last year. All he needs is rest. I spent 9 days with him before returning to attend to some women projects. The children are with him. I think you should visit him too. You can’t be speaking for him without seeing him.”
This revelation sheds light on the challenges faced by the presidential spokesperson during a critical time and offers a personal perspective on the health situation of President Buhari. Adesina’s book provides a unique reflection on his experiences working closely with the President from 2015 to 2023.
