By Barr Solomon Dalung

The election of Muhammadu Buhari in March 2015 marked a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic history. His victory was anchored on a powerful moral narrative, personal integrity, frugality, and an uncompromising anti-corruption stance. Buhari’s campaign symbolized a break from elite excess: he famously raised funds from ordinary Nigerians and reportedly struggled to pay for his presidential nomination form. This image of austere discipline resonated deeply with a populace exhausted by corruption.

However, within days of his inauguration, an incident occurred that, though seemingly minor, would have outsized political consequences. Images circulated online showing the Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, wearing a wristwatch widely reported by sections of the Nigerian press as an expensive Cartier Baignoire Folle diamond timepiece, with estimates running as high as $50,000. While others noted that imitation versions of similar watches were readily available at far lower prices, the symbolism had already taken root in public consciousness.

Social media reacted swiftly. Thousands of posts questioned the apparent contradiction between the President’s ascetic campaign image and the perception of luxury associated with his wife. The controversy was amplified not merely because of the object itself, but because of what it represented in a politically charged environment: perceived inconsistency between preached values and visible conduct.

For President Buhari, whose political capital rested heavily on personal credibility, this episode reportedly struck a sensitive nerve. The matter went beyond public relations; it touched the core of trust and image management in a presidency defined by moral symbolism. Within inner circles, the episode was seen as deeply unsettling, reinforcing anxieties about how personal and family actions could undermine a carefully cultivated reformist identity.

From that point, strains emerged within the presidency’s internal power architecture. What followed was not simply a domestic misunderstanding but the crystallization of competing power blocs around the President. Political gatekeepers often described as a “cabal” were quick to exploit existing tensions, using them to recalibrate influence, consolidate access, and marginalize perceived threats to their control.

In this context, the Wife of the President increasingly found herself completely isolated. The informal power traditionally exercised by presidential spouses in Nigeria was subjected to heightened scrutiny and restraint. New layers of aides and gatekeepers reportedly emerged around the President, ostensibly to protect him, but also to checkmate and manage internal dissent. Family proximity to power was steadily replaced by bureaucratic and political insulation.

These developments had lasting implications for the Buhari presidency. Decision-making became more centralized within a narrow circle of a power cult, appointments reflected factional loyalties and nepotism. Trust once fractured, proved difficult to restore. The internal dynamics of suspicion and control contributed to the narratives of Aisha planning to kill Buhari, which President though believe and took some self defensive measures which further isolate him from the family.

In retrospect, what began as a public controversy over symbolism evolved into a deeper struggle over access, influence, and narrative control within the presidency. The eclipse of family influence and the ascendancy of political power blocs did not occur overnight; they were the cumulative outcome of mistrust, manipulation, and unresolved internal conflicts.

Ultimately, these dynamics became part of the broader story of Buhari’s legacy, illustrating how personal symbolism, public perception, and elite power struggles can intersect to shape the trajectory of democratic governance. The long-term consequences of these internal battles, including health crises and extended absences from office, belong to a wider historical inquiry, one that cannot be reinvented by deperate conspiracy of Aisha and Buhari’s political enemies to destroy his legacy even in death.

“From Soldier to stateman” launched in the State House is sponsored smear campaign by Aisha led family cabal which was more dangerous than Buhari’s cabal to play victimology to curry cheap public sympathy.The family cabal contributed enormously in creating a hostile and chaotic environment that held President Buhari hostage. As to how President Buhari was poisoned and his medical tourism in the UK, I reserve it for my memoir.
May the soul of the tall Daura born General rest in peace amen.