Former First Lady Aisha Buhari has revealed startling details about the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s final years, saying that the former leader believed gossip circulating within Aso Rock that she planned to harm him. Her account was published in Buhari’s newly launched biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Dr. Charles Omole and unveiled at the State House on Monday.
According to Aisha Buhari, the late President began locking his room and changing daily routines because he was influenced by false claims that she intended to harm him. She explained that these claims were unfounded and stemmed from gossip and fearmongering within the presidential villa.
“My husband believed them for a week or so,” she said. “Then came the gossip and the fearmongering. They said I wanted to kill him.”
Aisha Buhari stressed that the late president’s health issues were not caused by mysterious ailments or poisoning, as some had speculated. Instead, she attributed the decline in his wellbeing to the mismanagement of his medications, meals, and nutritional supplements.
In July 2025, President Buhari passed away in a London clinic. His body was later returned to Daura, Nigeria, where he was buried. In the biography, Aisha Buhari shared that she had long supervised her husband’s meals and supplements, ensuring that he received proper nutrition at scheduled times.
She explained that maintaining a regimented diet and supplementation schedule was crucial for an elderly person like her husband, who had a history of malnutrition symptoms. “Elderly bodies require gentle, consistent support. He doesn’t have a chronic illness. Keep him on schedule,” she said.
Aisha Buhari recounted that once the rumors reached her husband, the disruptions to his routine began. He started changing habits, locking his room, and crucially, delaying or skipping meals. The supplements that were designed to maintain his strength were also halted.
“For a year, he did not have lunch. They mismanaged his meals,” she said, highlighting the impact of the misinformation on his health.
The biography portrays a personal side of President Buhari’s life, showing how domestic and institutional dynamics affected his day-to-day wellbeing. Aisha Buhari’s revelations underline the importance of proper care, nutrition, and trust within the immediate circle of leaders, especially for aging statesmen.
Aisha Buhari has long been involved in supervising the former president’s health and dietary regimen. She highlighted that her intervention helped him manage his health effectively for years, despite occasional challenges. The book suggests that without consistent monitoring of his nutrition and supplements, Buhari’s health could have deteriorated more rapidly.
The biography launch at the State House has attracted attention from politicians, historians, and the media. It is seen as a significant record of Buhari’s personal and political legacy, offering both praise and critique of his administration.
Aisha Buhari’s statements in the book are expected to spark discussions about the interplay between personal relationships, misinformation, and the health of public officials. Analysts note that the revelations could have implications for how care and information are managed around high-profile leaders in Nigeria.
In addition to recounting these personal challenges, the biography highlights Buhari’s achievements, leadership style, and key decisions during his tenure. It positions his legacy within Nigeria’s political history, emphasizing both his military background and his time as a civilian president.
The former First Lady’s account also illustrates the pressures faced by presidential families in maintaining the wellbeing of leaders while navigating internal politics and public scrutiny. Aisha Buhari’s vigilance in supervising Buhari’s meals and supplements demonstrates the importance of structured care and the potential consequences of neglect or mismanagement.
Aisha Buhari concluded that her actions, which were aimed at preserving her husband’s health, were often misunderstood or misrepresented. The biography seeks to clarify these misconceptions and provide an accurate account of the circumstances surrounding Buhari’s health in his final years.
The revelations come at a time when public interest in the late president’s legacy remains high. Scholars, journalists, and politicians continue to assess the impact of his leadership and the lessons that can be drawn from his administration.
By documenting these personal aspects of Buhari’s life, the biography offers a fuller picture of the man behind the office. It highlights the delicate balance between leadership responsibilities and personal wellbeing, as well as the potential risks of misinformation within political circles.
Aisha Buhari’s candid disclosure is likely to prompt further debate on the importance of transparency, trust, and proper care in the management of state leaders, particularly those in advanced age. It also emphasizes the human dimension of governance, which often remains hidden behind public performances and official narratives.
For many Nigerians, the book and the First Lady’s statements shed light on the challenges Buhari faced in his final years, both as a leader and as a patient, and underscore the role of accurate information and careful management of health in the lives of public figures.
The biography of Muhammadu Buhari, with contributions from Dr. Charles Omole, is now available to the public.