Aisha Buhari Alleges Cabal Tried to Control Aso Villa During Buhari Presidency

Aisha Buhari Alleges Cabal Tried to Control Aso Villa During Buhari Presidency

Former First Lady Dr. Aisha Buhari has claimed that a powerful cabal of relatives and aides in Aso Villa tried to push her and her children out of the presidential residence during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

These revelations were highlighted in a biography titled: “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”, authored by Dr. Charles Omole, launched at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, with President Bola Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu in attendance.

According to the book, Aisha Buhari said that Buhari’s fondness for his extended family and old friends made him vulnerable to manipulation by individuals who used their proximity to influence decisions to the detriment of the administration’s goals. She warned that this kind of influence and tolerance for underperformance should not be repeated by President Tinubu.

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“If the 2017 crisis began in a kitchen, its broader stage was the house where that kitchen was situated. Aso Villa is not merely a home, but an ecosystem,” the biography quoted her. She said relatives and courtiers sought to control her husband’s office while also exerting influence over her, a situation she firmly resisted.

Aisha Buhari also criticized the administration’s failure to remove non-performing officials, arguing that emotional manipulation, fear of public perception, and loyalty turned into shields for mediocrity. She outlined her own principle: officials who perform at least 50% should be tolerated, but those who deliver nothing must be removed.

She recounted attempts by security officials to temporarily relocate her to Daura to allow investigations into associates, which she refused. She also alleged that even after leaving office, Buhari privately asked President Tinubu not to probe some kinsmen, illustrating the dangers of emotional dependence at the top of power.

The biography portrays Aso Villa as a complex ecosystem where familial influence, loyalty, and fear of criticism sometimes obstructed accountability and effective governance.

Aisha Buhari Alleges Cabal Tried to Control Aso Villa During Buhari Presidency