In a deeply personal new publication, former First Lady Aisha Buhari has provided a definitive account of the final days of her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, directly addressing and dismissing years of swirling conspiracy theories about his health and passing.
Medical Truth Versus Harmful Rumours
The revelation comes from her newly released book, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, published on December 16, 2025. In it, she states unequivocally that the family was informed by attending medical professionals that pneumonia was the immediate cause of President Buhari's death.
She forcefully rejected widespread speculation that suggested poisoning, sabotage of air-conditioning systems, or other covert plots. "The doctors told us plainly what happened. Pneumonia was the cause. There was no poison, no sabotage and no hidden agenda," she wrote. Aisha Buhari characterised such rumours as fear-mongering narratives that distracted from factual health realities and misled the public.
Addressing Past Health Challenges and Governance
The book also revisits the former President's well-documented health challenges during his tenure, particularly around his 2017 medical trip abroad. Aisha Buhari attributed that earlier crisis to exhaustion, age, and a breakdown in his carefully supervised diet and rest routine, not to poison or a mysterious illness.
She noted that once a strict schedule and proper nutritional support were reinstated, his health improved significantly. Beyond personal health, the former First Lady reflected on governance issues during the administration. She highlighted problems of excessive gatekeeping and restricted access to the President, which she said often delayed critical decisions and weakened accountability.
"My role was never interference. It was oversight, raising concerns, flagging bottlenecks and advocating transparency," she clarified, adding that she never signed official documents or awarded contracts.
Life After the Presidency and a Legacy of Service
Aisha Buhari also touched on the controversial 2018 removal of Lawal Daura, then Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), following the blockade of the National Assembly. She described the operatives' action as a violation of constitutional norms and supported the dismissal to prevent chaos.
Reflecting on her life after the presidency, she described choosing a quieter path focused on family and humanitarian work. She revealed that her foundation has established a cardiovascular and medical centre in Kano, which has performed over 200 medical procedures as a response to Nigeria's healthcare challenges.
Finally, she dismissed public curiosity about her remarrying, stating that the idea touches on deeper issues of trust, responsibility, and the unique weight of public life.
