17th January, 2024
Former special adviser on media and publicity to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has disputed claims that Nigeria’s seat of power, the Aso Rock presidential villa was inhabited by witches and wizards.
Adesina who was spokesperson to Buhari for eight years said this on Channels Television on Tuesday.
He was answering a question on the claims by his predecessor, Reuben Abati that the villa was infested by witches and wizards when he was there.
Abati, who was Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan had in an article in October 2016 claimed he confronted witches and wizards and spiritual forces while at the presidential villa.
Abati in the article titled: The spiritual side of Aso Villa said: “Even the President was multiply bereaved. His wife, Mama Peace was in and out of hospital at a point, undergoing many surgeries. I am ordinarily not a superstitious person, but working in the Villa, I eventually became convinced that there must be something supernatural about power and closeness to it.
“Around the Villa, while I was there, someone always died or their relations died. I can confirm that every principal officer suffered one tragedy or the other; it was as if you needed to sacrifice something to remain on duty inside that environment.
But Adesina had countered the claim then and he repeated that, unlike Abati, he was not disturbed by any spiritual forces while he was in the presidential on Channels Television on Tuesday evening.
Contrary to the claim of Abati, Adesina said he didn’t see anything like witches or wizards in the Villa and he was able to sleep very soundly everyday he spent there.
“Reuben Abati said the house they gave him in the Villa, he didn’t sleep there for one night because when he attempted to sleep there, fire just broke out. So, he ran away.
“I slept in my house for eight years, not only did I sleep but I was snoring. I snored so much that I woke myself up with the sound of my snores; that showed I was at peace.”
Adesina also launched a book, ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media, and Publicity (2015-2023)’ on Tuesday in Abuja at an event attended by former President Buhari, President Bola Tinubu; ex-Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, and others.