Femi Adesina Expresses Shock Over Buhari’s Passing: “I Thought He Had 10 More Years”
Former presidential spokesman Femi Adesina has revealed his profound surprise at the death of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, stating he believed the late leader had at least another decade ahead of him despite his advanced age.
A Tribute to “A Soldier of Soldiers”
In an emotional Facebook tribute posted on Thursday, Adesina memorialized Buhari as “a soldier of soldiers, an officer and a gentleman,” whose legacy would continue influencing Nigeria’s political and moral landscape for generations.
“I didn’t expect President Buhari to leave, at least not in the next 10 years,” Adesina confessed. “He was 82, but I thought he could do 92 or more.”
The 2017 Health Crisis and Remarkable Recovery
Adesina recalled Buhari’s serious health challenges in 2017, when the former president spent nearly five months receiving medical treatment abroad. The spokesman described how Buhari’s recovery became a testament to his resilience.
“We prayed, we supplicated, we trusted God. And the man came back, not only hale and hearty, but looking many shades better than he was before,” he wrote, highlighting the unexpected nature of Buhari’s eventual passing.
Final Ramadan Meeting in Kaduna
The former media adviser shared poignant details about his last encounter with Buhari during Ramadan at the former president’s Kaduna residence. The two shared a simple meal and engaged in light conversation, unaware this would be their final meeting.
Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London after a period of illness. He was laid to rest two days later in a private ceremony at his Daura Road home in Kaduna, attended only by close family members, government officials, and religious leaders.
A Leader Who Embraced Simplicity
Adesina reflected on Buhari’s lifelong preference for modesty, evident even in his burial arrangements. The former president was interred in a quiet corner of his courtyard – a space where he often sat in solitary reflection.
“So, Baba Buhari, my boss and senior friend, would be laid in this narrow cell?” Adesina wrote, invoking imagery from Thomas Grey’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard to underscore the humility that characterized Buhari’s life and death.
Principles That Defined a Presidency
In his tribute, Adesina highlighted Buhari’s unwavering commitment to integrity, fairness, and meritocracy. He recalled how the former president consciously avoided nepotism in his appointments and decisions.
“If I bypass the best person because of where he comes from, his language or religion, Allah will judge me for it,” Adesina quoted Buhari as saying, revealing the moral compass that guided his leadership.
Moments That Revealed Character
The tribute included touching anecdotes demonstrating Buhari’s humility, including an instance when he quietly attended a Christian event in Lagos, challenging perceptions of religious bias.
Adesina, who served as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity throughout Buhari’s eight-year administration, noted how his admiration for the former president grew over time, both professionally and personally.
A Legacy of Discipline and Service
“Buhari was not perfect,” Adesina acknowledged, “but he was honest, disciplined, and devoted to the people. Nigeria has lost a leader who never wavered in the face of challenges.”
The heartfelt tribute paints a portrait of a leader whose impact transcended politics, leaving an indelible mark on those who worked closely with him and on the nation he served.
Full credit to the original publisher: The Guardian