A former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, praised the former leader for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, describing him as a “friend of the masses.”
In a tribute to mark Buhari’s 82nd birthday on Tuesday, Adesina highlighted the former president’s decision to retain fuel subsidies during his tenure, emphasizing that the move was aimed at protecting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens despite the economic challenges it posed.
Adesina referred to Buhari as “Ore Mekunu,” a Yoruba phrase meaning “friend of the poor,” and noted that the former president’s empathy for the underprivileged continues to endear him to Nigerians even in retirement.
“The Big Elephant in the room was the removal of fuel subsidy.
Did you think the government didn’t know that the money-guzzling monster had to be slain? It knew,” Adesina wrote.
He elaborated that Buhari resisted pressure to remove the subsidy because he prioritized the well-being of ordinary citizens.
“When oil sold for at least $100 per barrel in the international market, rising even to as high as $140 per barrel, what did the ordinary people gain? Nothing! So why should they be the ones to bear the brunt when oil prices fall?”
Adesina acknowledged that while Buhari shared the rationale behind subsidy removal toward the end of his administration, he chose not to implement it to avoid creating social upheaval, reaffirming his commitment to shielding the masses.
Reflecting on Buhari’s enduring popularity, Adesina noted that, nearly two years into retirement, the former president continues to draw crowds because of his people-centered policies and humility.
