In a candid assessment of the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year presidency, former First Lady Aisha Buhari has alleged that her husband’s administration was hampered by placing unqualified or ill-suited individuals in powerful positions, a mistake she says weakened governance and undermined the government’s broader objectives. Her comments are contained in a new biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, launched at the State House in Abuja.
In her account, Aisha describes how individuals who played minimal roles in Buhari’s rise to power found themselves wielding influence within the corridors of the presidency, often to the detriment of effective policymaking and administration. She characterises this inner circle as a “mafia” of relatives, courtiers and elites whose influence disproportionately shaped access, decisions and outcomes inside Aso Rock, often sidelining loyal supporters and competent advisers.
Aisha alleges that this group’s dominance distorted key processes, from ministerial appointments to policy implementation, ultimately contributing to a discord between the ideals that propelled Buhari’s candidacy and the reality of governance. She argued that the presence of those she described as the wrong people in the right places weakened institutional effectiveness and amplified administrative dysfunction throughout his tenure.
The former First Lady’s narrative also recounts personal challenges she faced within the Villa, including tensions with powerful aides who allegedly sought to marginalise her influence and participation in governance experiences she says reflected broader organisational problems within the presidency itself.
These revelations add to public debate over the governance legacy of Buhari’s administration, which has been scrutinised for handling of the economy, security and internal political dynamics. Aisha’s perspective is likely to rekindle discussions on leadership appointments, internal governance culture, and the impact of insider networks on policy outcomes.
