Former First Lady Aisha Buhari has disclosed that her late husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari, locked himself inside his room after believing rumors within Aso Rock that she planned to kill him.

The revelation was contained in a new biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr Charles Omole and launched at the State House on Monday, December 16, 2025.

The book follows Buhari’s life journey from his early years in Daura, Katsina State, to his final days in a London hospital in mid-July 2025.

According to the account, Aisha Buhari said gossip and fear inside the Presidential Villa created tension that affected her husband’s daily life.

She stated that for about a week, Buhari believed the rumours, became cautious, changed his habits, and started locking his room.

During this period, his meals were delayed or missed, and the supplements he depended on were stopped.

She explained that this disruption marked the beginning of the health crisis that later forced Buhari to take long medical leave in 2017.

She maintained that the illness was not caused by poisoning or any hidden disease but by the breakdown of a feeding and nutrition routine she had managed for years.

The book stated that Aisha Buhari had always supervised her husband’s meals and supplements at fixed times, even before he became president.

She described Buhari as someone with a long history of nutrition-related weakness who depended on a strict routine to stay strong.

After moving into Aso Villa, she reportedly met with close aides, including security and medical officials, to explain the importance of the plan.

However, the routine gradually collapsed. Aisha Buhari said that for nearly a year, her husband stopped eating lunch and his meals were poorly managed.

His condition worsened and led to two extended medical trips to the United Kingdom in 2017, lasting a total of 154 days. During his absence, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo handled presidential duties.

After returning to Nigeria, Buhari admitted that he had never been that ill before and confirmed receiving blood transfusions.

The book said that his prolonged absence led to widespread rumours and speculation across the country.

Aisha Buhari rejected claims that there were attempts to poison her husband, insisting that the real cause of the crisis was the loss of his nutrition routine.

In London, doctors placed Buhari on a stronger supplement plan.

At first, he was afraid and reluctant to take them, but she took charge of his care and ensured he received the prescribed supplements through his meals.

She described the recovery as rapid, saying that within days Buhari no longer needed support to walk and soon began receiving visitors.

The book stated that this marked both the beginning and the end of the illness.

Dr Omole also addressed criticism over Buhari’s repeated medical treatment abroad, saying that an elderly man in his seventies may require specialised care not easily available in Nigeria due to years of weak investment in healthcare.

He added that Buhari’s habit of formally handing over power during absences showed respect for due process.

The book further described an atmosphere of mistrust around the Presidency. Aisha Buhari alleged that the President’s office was monitored and private conversations replayed, adding that fear within the system affected his wellbeing. She also dismissed claims that Buhari had a body double, describing the story as false and blaming poor communication for allowing such rumors to grow.

President Bola Tinubu has cancelled a planned promotion of his aide-de-camp, Nurudeen Yusuf, after intervention from two former Chiefs of Army Staff.

The decision was taken on Monday evening when concerns were raised within the military over a move to elevate Yusuf to the rank of brigadier-general through a special presidential approval.

Yusuf was only promoted to the rank of colonel in January 2025, making the proposed advancement unusual under existing army rules.

Military guidelines require an officer to spend a minimum of four years as a colonel and also attend the National Defence College before being considered for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general.

In this case, approval to bypass those requirements was reportedly sent from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Chief of Army Staff.

The letter, dated December 12, 2025, was signed by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and indicated that Yusuf would continue to serve as the President’s aide-de-camp even after the proposed promotion.

This plan reportedly caused discomfort within senior military ranks, as no serving brigadier-general has ever functioned as ADC to a sitting Nigerian president.

Ahead of the planned decoration ceremony, the Minister of Defence, a retired general, and the Chief of Army Staff were said to have ended their visit to Lagos State early and returned to Abuja.

Before the promotion could take place, two respected former army chiefs reportedly met with President Tinubu and advised against the move, warning of possible damage to military order and discipline.

A source within the presidency later confirmed that the promotion would not go ahead in the near future.

Military observers had also raised concerns that such an action could create problems within the armed forces and affect established promotion standards.

Yusuf has in the past been linked to allegations of exerting strong influence on military postings and promotions due to his closeness to the President.

Reports claim he once secured presidential approval for the promotion of officers who were due for retirement after failing mandatory assessments.

Although the approval was later withdrawn, the officers were reportedly allowed to remain in service.

President Tinubu promoted Yusuf to the rank of colonel in January 2025 during a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Yusuf was appointed ADC in April 2023 when he was still a lieutenant colonel, shortly before Tinubu’s inauguration.

In July 2024, Yusuf was crowned the monarch of Ilemona land in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He is expected to fully assume the traditional position after his retirement from military service.

Abia State government has assured members of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union, ASTOPU,  that the  electric buses being introduced in the State will not drive them away from jobs, but will complement transport services in the State.

Commissioner for Transport,  Chimezie Ukaegbu disclosed this on Tuesday, at Aba Town Hall during the 2025 ASTOPU reward and empowerment ceremony.

He assured that under the watch of Governor Alex Otti, tricycle operators would continue to do their operations, considering their contributions to the state’s revenue.

Ukaegbu also said that  tricycle operators in Abia state, especially  those in Aba, have shown great support to the state government and advised them to prioritise their security and safety by  avoiding alcoholism.

He promised that his Ministry, in partnership with the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, would continue to protect them and urged ASTOPU executives to maintain visionary leadership.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation,  Obioma Nwaogbe said that Tricycle operators are benefitting from the State government’s infrastructure.

Earlier in his  address, the Chairman of ASTOPU,  Victor Azubuike said the executive arm of the union organized the event to reward 164 tricycle operators who  returned forgotten items to their office for their original owners to reclaim, and to encourage good conduct among the  transporters.