Femi Adesina’s Book Sheds Light on Buhari’s Displeasure with 2015 National Assembly Leadership Election
Former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has unveiled intriguing details in his latest book, “Working with Buhari: Reflections Of A Special Adviser, Media And Publicity (2015 – 2023),” highlighting President Buhari’s unhappiness with the 2015 National Assembly leadership elections.
The Unfolding Events on Election Day
In a meticulous account, Adesina delves into the events surrounding the election of Bukola Saraki as the Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The narrative unfolds on June 9, 2015, as President Buhari returns from a G7 meeting in Germany, coinciding with the scheduled day for the National Assembly leadership election.
A Planned Meeting and a Surprise Development
Adesina reveals a crucial meeting planned between President Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers at 10 a.m., just before the commencement of the election.
However, unbeknownst to the party leadership, Saraki and Dogara had orchestrated a plot to seize the leadership of the National Assembly.
The Swearing-In and Party Leaders’ Reaction
The book details the unexpected turn of events as the Senate was convened, and the election was already in progress, catching party leaders off guard.
Despite the party’s desire for a different outcome, Saraki was sworn in as Senate President, and the atmosphere in the President’s living room at Aso Drive was filled with disappointment.
Tinubu’s Resolve and Strategies Mapped Out
As party leaders congregated, including Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adesina recounts their resolve not to dwell on the past.
Tinubu emphasized the need to prevent a similar outcome in the House of Representatives and mapped out strategies to safeguard the party’s interests.
Buhari’s Response and Adesina’s Persuasion
Adesina narrates his attempt to convince President Buhari to issue a statement on the national assembly leadership election.
Despite the President’s initial reluctance, he eventually agreed to a carefully crafted statement, acknowledging the constitutional process that had “somewhat” concluded.
The First of Many Challenges
Reflecting on the episode, Adesina acknowledges that the national assembly leadership saga was his first baptism of fire in terms of issuing statements for Buhari.
He notes that many more challenges followed during his eight years working with the President.
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