Politics

When Buhari Died I Wanted To Come Out And Abuse Him — Fayose Drops BOMBSHELL

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 30th, 2025.

When Buhari Died I Wanted To Come Out And Abuse Him — Fayose Drops BOMBSHELL

In the heart of Nigeria’s ever-churning political drama, a candid moment unfolded on July 25, 2025, as former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose took the stage on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*. Known for his sharp tongue and unrelenting critiques, Fayose shared a story that revealed both his fiery spirit and an unexpected moment of restraint, prompted by a gentle admonition from his wife.

The tale began in early July, when news broke of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a towering figure whose legacy spanned decades—from his days as military head of state in 1984–1985 to his eight-year presidency from 2015 to 2023. As Nigeria mourned, Fayose felt the familiar urge to speak his truth. A longtime critic of Buhari’s administration, he was ready to unleash a torrent of criticism, to lay bare what he saw as the failures of a leader who, in his view, had fallen short of the nation’s expectations. But then came a voice of caution—his wife’s. “Don’t say it,” she urged, her words a quiet anchor in a sea of emotion. And so, Fayose held his tongue, respecting her call to honor the solemnity of death.

Yet, on Politics Today, Fayose’s restraint gave way to reflection. “The people in Nigeria only praise the dead,” he said, his voice heavy with conviction. “I’m not among those praising the dead. Don’t honor me when I die. When I die, I’m gone.” For Fayose, Buhari’s tenure was a chapter of missed opportunities, a time when Nigeria languished under governance that, in his eyes, failed to meet acceptable standards. “We all know what this country was,” he said, conjuring memories of economic struggles and systemic challenges that defined those years.

The story took a turn as Fayose drew a contrast with the current president, Bola Tinubu, who inherited the reins from Buhari in May 2023. Defending Tinubu, Fayose painted a picture of a leader more accessible than his predecessor, one grappling with a “very bad economy” that was “critical, wide, and deep.” Nigeria, he argued, was a sick patient, and no miracle could heal it overnight. “What can anybody do in two years?” he asked, his words a plea for patience in a nation yearning for swift change.

Fayose’s narrative was not just about leaders past and present—it was a meditation on Nigeria’s complex soul. He acknowledged Tinubu’s imperfections, admitting, “He is not a perfect man,” but insisted progress was being made. The shadows of Buhari’s era, marked by inaccessibility and stagnation, were fading, replaced by a government striving to find its footing. For Fayose, the path forward demanded realism, not blind praise or rushed judgment.

As the studio lights dimmed, Fayose’s story lingered—a tale of a man tempered by his wife’s wisdom, yet unyielding in his call for truth. In a nation quick to sanctify the departed, he stood as a voice of candor, urging Nigerians to look beyond eulogies and face the hard realities of governance. With 2027 on the horizon, his words were a challenge: to judge leaders not by their absence, but by the legacy they leave in the hearts of a strugg

ling nation.