Buhari had no London home, relied on friends for bills — Femi Adesina

A former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has revealed that the late Nigerian leader did not own a private residence in London despite frequently traveling there for medical treatment.

In an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, Adesina dismissed speculations that Buhari had a permanent property in the United Kingdom, explaining that the former President mostly stayed at the Nigerian High Commission during his medical trips.

He said, “There was a time he was in the High Commission for many months when he went on that eight-month medical vacation.

“For about three-quarters of that period, he was in the High Commissioner’s apartment. The High Commissioner even moved to a smaller place so the President could stay in his official residence.”

The former presidential aide noted that Buhari had been consistent with his medical team in London even before becoming President, which explained his preference for treatment in the UK.

“Before he became President, he had always done his medicals in London, the same set of doctors. Those who knew his medical history continued with him instead of starting afresh,” he added.

On the cost of the medical care and other personal expenses, Adesina hinted that Buhari largely depended on the goodwill of wealthy friends.

“I doubt if he paid for those bills himself. President Buhari just needed to call anybody — the Dangotes, the Abdusalamis — and they would oblige. This last trip he made, I know the jets of the person he went in,” Adesina stated.

Reacting to previous controversies over Buhari’s children attending expensive schools abroad, the former presidential spokesman said the former President disclosed that the tuition was not paid from his pocket.

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“When I asked him about the noise online over the schools his children attended, he told me, ‘I do not know. It’s my friends that pay it.’ He even said I should go and see Modi, his wise brother, who had the details,” Adesina said.

He described Buhari as “a man of goodwill” who enjoyed unwavering support from his associates throughout his lifetime.