The former special adviser on media and publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has described Buhari as a friend of the masses, noting that his policies and decisions were focused on improving the lives of Nigerians.

In a tribute to celebrate Buhari who clocked 82 on Tuesday, Adesina said one of such policies was his decision not to remove fuel subsidies as Nigeria’s President.

He described him as ‘Ore Mekunu’, a Yoruba phrase for a friend of the poor, adding that he ‘still draws the people like magnets even in retirement’.

Adesina described his boss as a President who refused to take decisions that would further impoverish the masses even when aware that some corrupt leaders are benefiting.

“The Big Elephant in the room (was the) removal of fuel subsidy. Did you think the Government didn’t know that the money guzzling monster had to be slain? It knew.

“But who ensured that subsidies remained as long as it did? Buhari. And why? The people, the ordinary people. His argument was always simple.

“When oil sold for at least $100 per barrel in the international market, rising even to as high as $140 per barrel, what did the ordinary people gain? Nothing! So why should they be the ones to bear the brunt when oil prices fall?”, Adesina stated.

The former presidential aide said even though Buhari may share the conviction to remove subsidies at the end of his administration like the presidential candidate then, “he didn’t want to do something that would throw society into a tailspin for the sake of the ordinary people”.

Almost two years into retirement, Adesina said people still continue to mill around him because of his disposition to the poor.