Buhari was not happy when Saraki became Senate President – Femi Adeshina 

Femi Adesina, former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, reveals in his book “Working with Buhari: Reflections Of A Special Adviser, Media And Publicity (2015 – 2023)” that Buhari was not pleased when Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara assumed leadership positions in the national assembly in 2015. 

Adesina narrates that Buhari, returning to Nigeria on June 9, 2015, from a G7 meeting in Germany, learned of the election of the 8th assembly’s leadership, with Saraki and Dogara taking key roles.

Adesina discloses the alleged plot by Saraki and Dogara to seize leadership, collaborating with the opposition PDP to secure the necessary votes. 

Despite Buhari’s initial discontent, leaders gathered in his living room to strategize after Saraki was sworn in as Senate President. 

Asiwaju Tinubu acknowledged the situation, urging action to prevent the House of Representatives’ leadership from slipping away.

When Adesina approached Buhari to issue a press statement on the national assembly leadership election, Buhari initially refused, stating, “I won’t say anything.” 

Adesina persuaded Buhari by emphasizing the constitutional nature of the process and reminding him of his commitment to work with the elected leadership. 

Buhari eventually agreed to issue a statement, adding the word “somewhat” to acknowledge the conclusion of a “constitutional process.” 

Adesina described this episode as his first significant challenge in crafting statements for Buhari, marking the beginning of many similar incidents over the next eight years.