First Lady Aisha Buhari’s revelation that her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after leaving the military is currently generating a social media storm.
Ms. Buhari said that the military did not rehabilitate her husband after his service in the civil war between 1967 to 1970, his overthrow as military head of state, and subsequent detention for 40 months without being charged with any offence.
She said this on Tuesday as special guest of honour at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Armed Forces Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Centre (AFPTSDC) initiated by the Mrs Lucky Irabor-led Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
“I want to thank DEPOWA for this foresighted vision of establishing a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Centre for our soldiers. Indeed, PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by terrifying events.
“It is a reality that soldiers and military families have to live with, despite its negative consequences. Being a soldier’s wife or a retired soldier’s wife and a wellness expert, I understand the challenges associated with PTSD and its impact on military families and the nation.
“My husband served the Nigerian Army for 27 years before he was overthrown in a coup d’état. He fought civil war for 30 months without rehabilitation; he ruled Nigeria for 20 months and was detained for 40 months without disclosing the nature of his offence.
“One year after he came out from detention, we were married, I clocked 19 years in his house as his wife, legitimately. I suffered the consequences of PTSD, because having gone through all these, and at the age of 19, to handle somebody, who was a former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, to tell him that he is wrong is the first mistake you will make.
“So, at the age of 19, I had to figure out how to tell somebody of his calibre that he was wrong or right and that was the beginning of my offence in his house, and contesting elections in 2003 and failed, 2007, failed and 2011, the same thing – all without rehabilitation – I became a physiotherapist.
“Finally, the whole nation rose against the misuse of power and bad governance. He only succeeded when it became a movement and here we are today. He ruled Nigeria before and he is ruling Nigeria now and this is the last time and final.
“Failing election for three times was a big blow to every contestant but those that have contested for just yesterday, a simple primary election, they are still living in a traumatic condition, I tried to console them, I tried to talk to them, some of them have switched off their phones up till today, just because of a primary election.
“You can imagine myself at 19 years, handling somebody that went to war, suffered coup d’état, then lost several elections, and, finally, getting to the Villa in the 2015. Also, for a woman to tell them that this is wrong or right in Nigeria and Africa is a problem,” Aisha Buhari said.
Since her revelation, many Nigerians have taken to social media to bare their minds.
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Buhari suffered from PTSD and yet he was allowed to rule instead of fixing it and he made us go through same 🤦🤦
— Bethel Lamba (@BethelLamba) October 5, 2022
Have you had the garbage by Aisha Buhari, that her husband suffered PTSD. Complete garbage. Her husband has caused millions of families PTSD. Sick.
— June12Posts (Nuclear ☢️ Powered) (@June12Post) October 5, 2022
So Buhari suffered from PTSD and Tinubu and most Nigerians made him President. Chai!
— Nnadixen (@Nnadixen) October 5, 2022
After almost 8 years Aisha Buhari said his hubby is suffering from PTSD. Our president is been mentally unstable.. A whole President of the Federal Republic 😭😭😭.
— Sam (@semoolala) October 5, 2022
Buhari suffered PTSD after 3 yrs of war now na only God know the ones some Nigerians dy suffer after almost 8 yrs of ruining this country🇳🇬 our own fit worst sef
— Charles (@Charlespesco) October 5, 2022
Money cannot solve all problems. Buhari has PTSD and despite being one of the richest president in the world, he can't still solve it with money. Aishat Buhari.
— THE_REALIST (@Aliu53341333) October 5, 2022
Aisha coming out now to tell us Buhari has been a PTSD patient even before he became president is all the reason why you should not vote for someone with any health red flag. Aso Villa is not a care home. Many died cos we have a sick president. It could’ve been you. Vote wisely!
— PeterObi=Competence+Integrity+Equity (@Balatic) October 5, 2022
Serious question, not intended as an insult, but what impact did Buhari's PTSD have on his presidency?
— naijaPatriot (@jollynony) October 5, 2022
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. No wonder!!! He wanted to hand us over to DAMA. @PeterObi for President pic.twitter.com/IoyiWSpTgb
— Jamilu Sufi 🇳🇬 (@JamiluSufi) October 5, 2022