In the gripping narrative presented by Femi Adesina in his book, ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023),’ the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari sheds light on the intriguing mystery surrounding the ex-president’s decision to withhold his West African School Certificate (WAEC) during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
Adesina delves into the revelation that Buhari deliberately refrained from releasing his educational credentials to the public, citing a desire to let those critical of his qualifications “please themselves.” The book discloses that, in the lead-up to the 2019 general elections, public outcry ensued over Buhari’s reluctance to submit his certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the president maintaining that all his credentials were securely held by the Secretary to the Military Board, reiterating a similar excuse given in 2015.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when, in November 2018, Buhari was presented with a Letter of Attestation by officials of the West African Examination Council, as documented in a video posted on the verified handle of his aide, Bashir Ahmad. Chapter 5 of the book unveils Buhari’s statement that he had always possessed copies of his certificate but intentionally chose not to release them, allowing critics to express their opinions.
Buhari emphasizes in the book that his attendance at the Defence Services Staff College in India (1973) and subsequently at the United States Army War College as a Nigerian military officer hinged on successfully completing the WASC examinations in 1961. The former military leader reminisces about his educational journey, recounting the military examination he and his colleagues underwent, covering subjects such as English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge.
Adesina’s book not only explores the president’s stance on his educational qualifications but also provides insights into other significant aspects of Buhari’s presidency. It reveals Buhari’s resistance to removing the embattled governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, amid speculations about his presidential ambitions in the 2023 general election. Additionally, the book quotes Buhari expressing a preference for extraditing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, to face trial in Nigeria rather than resorting to eliminating him, shedding light on the president’s nuanced approach to governance and leadership.
