Muhammadu Buhari’s elder sister, Hajia Rekiya Adamu, in a new interview shared personal information about the President-elect.
In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, the only surviving sister out
of the 24 family members of the President-Elect, revealed the
President-elect’s relationship with his family and more.
Read below excerpts from the interview:
Hajia, now that your only blood brother has emerged as Nigeria’s President-elect, what do you have to say about his upbringing?
Buhari, since he was a boy has always been a calm person. He doesn’t
talk so much and he avoids trouble with others. He is very caring, he is
very close to his relations, he is such a person that doesn’t like to
break family ties. He tries as much as he can to link up with others
anywhere. He lived with me before when he was schooling in Katsina. I
was married then and every one was amazed by his conduct because no one
ever reported him to me. He is intelligent and I remember during his
childhood he was outstanding. He has no enemy. Even now, go around Daura
town, he has no enemy. His attitude has endeared him to all.How close is he to the family, having been such a public figure?
I’m his only elder sister, he always visits me. Even during tight
schedule especially during election campaign, he always found time to
see me. I mean he would sneak in to see everybody. Anything that I or
any distant relation needs, he never hesitates to provide. He tries his
best to make the family happy.Among his siblings, how do they see him?
We were 24 in the family, all others have died remaining Buhari and me.
They used to call him Akali during his childhood. That is the name our
parents and relatives call him. I cannot recall why they called him
that, because I was small then but I know that is the name we called
him. We also call him Leko because he was born after twins.How did your parents regard him?
They held him in high esteem. He returned when he was held in prison
when our mother died, they really loved him and showed all of us love
and care.Now that he is the incoming president how do you see his victory?
It’s blessing to Nigeria because he had held that position before, but
as a military man. He is honest and trustworthy and these attributes are
still his hallmark. We pray God to see him through this national
assignment. We call on Nigerians to give him the needed support to
enable him transform the country.