SIR: Mr. Femi Adeshina, a former aide to the former President Muhammadu Buhari, in a telephone conversation with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV described the late President Buhari as his senior friend. Just like Adeshina, I Olawale Oyedele can describe myself as a junior friend of the late President.

I have so many senior friends in the northern and southern parts of the country. Specially, and in Kaduna, I used to have five senior friends. i.e. the late President Buhari, the late Alhaji Umaru Dikko, Col. Ahmadu Ali ( alias Ali must go), late Alhaji Balarabe Musa and the current Emir of Gwandu, General Mohammadu Jega, who was two times military governor and GOC of 2nd Division of Nigerian Army in Ibadan.

Four of them came all the way from Kaduna to Ode Remo in Ogun State and spent three days with me during the burial ceremonies of my mother in law. With the passing on of Buhari, I have again lost one of my senior friends.

During the recent launch of his book, Garba Shehu, Buhari’s former aide, said that Buhari rejected so many gifts that include, N400 million luxury cars, diamond wrist watches, bribes from a construction giants, etc. I can personally confirm that this is true of Buhari.

He, however, accepted gifts from his genuine and trusted friends, particularly if he was sure that the gifts were offered without any ulterior motive.

He never rejected any gifts from me since 1985 (about 40 years). His family members are aware of this our relationship as well.

Some memorable events:
I could remember that within the first few months of his first term in office, my personal assistant informed me of an incident that took place in Buhari’s Kaduna home, which he witnessed.

Someone brought to his house two trailer loads of foodstuffs, and when he was contacted on phone in Abuja, he instructed that the gifts be rejected.
He, however, instructed that my own be accepted, which in the presence of my Personal Assistant were put in one of the rooms in his main house.

I also recollect that on the day the Presidential candidates (that included Buhari) were signing the peace accord with General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s Peace Committee, he instructed his cousin to come to my office in Kaduna to collect my cheque as my token towards his campaign. I told his cousin that my “widow’s mite,’ will be for his family and not his political party.

That while he was away on his campaign activities, his family would also need to be supported financially. He gladly accepted my ‘widow’s mite.’ May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Oyedele Olawale wrote from Kaduna.