I wanted to abuse Buhari after death, but my wife stopped me” – Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has disclosed that he intended to criticise the late President Muhammadu Buhari after his death but was dissuaded by his wife.

Buhari passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 in London and was laid to rest on July 15 at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Fayose admitted he held back his criticism of the former president out of respect for his wife’s counsel.

“The people in Nigeria only praise the dead. When Buhari died, I wanted to come out and abuse him [but] my wife called me not to say so,” Fayose said.

He questioned the widespread praise Buhari received posthumously, noting that during his lifetime, his leadership left much to be desired.

“Would you say Buhari performed? I am not among those praising the dead. Don’t honour me when I die. When I die, I’m gone.”

“When Buhari was in government, we all knew what this country was. So, nobody should come and tell me that Tinubu is not doing well. He is accessible. Was the former president accessible?” he asked.

Fayose added that while President Bola Tinubu is not perfect, the country has seen notable changes under his leadership.

He described Nigeria as “a sick country,” noting that it will take time to turn things around.

“What miracle can anybody do in two years? The situation is critical, wide and deep. Tinubu inherited a very bad economy,” he added.

Fayose has long been one of Buhari’s most outspoken critics. Prior to the 2015 general elections, he questioned Buhari’s health and suggested that more competent northerners should have been considered.

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In 2017, while Buhari was undergoing treatment in the UK, Fayose claimed he was on life support. He also opposed Buhari’s bid for a second term in 2019, famously referring to him as a “grandpa” who had caused more harm than good to the nation.