I thought Buhari had 10 more years to live —Femi Adesina
Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed shock over the passing of his former principal, stating he believed Buhari still had a decade left to live.
In an emotional reaction shared via his personal blog and later circulated on social media, Adesina said he had seen Buhari “age gracefully” and remain mentally sharp even in his final public appearances.
“Honestly, I thought President Muhammadu Buhari had at least 10 more years to live,” Adesina wrote. “He was still strong, still clear-minded, still deliberate in his interactions. Death indeed comes like a thief in the night.”
Adesina, who served Buhari throughout his eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023, described the former president as a man of “steel discipline, quiet humor, and enduring simplicity.” He acknowledged that Buhari was not without flaws, but said he always acted with what he believed was in Nigeria’s best interest.
“He had his critics, understandably so, but Buhari was not a man who sought wealth or power for selfish gain. He genuinely believed in Nigeria’s unity, and his legacy will continue to be debated long after his death,” Adesina added.
Since the news of Buhari’s passing broke, reactions have poured in from all corners of Nigeria and beyond. While many have mourned him with tributes, others have been more critical, pointing to the economic hardship and insecurity that marked much of his administration.
Adesina’s tribute adds to a growing archive of reflections on the man who ruled Nigeria as a military leader from 1983 to 1985, and again as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023.
The former spokesman concluded his piece with a prayer:
“May Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.”