I sometimes miss my way in Aso Villa, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari shocked his interviewer in Paris today that he sometimes misses his way in Aso Presidential Villa, an expansive palace serving a dual purpose as office and residence for an incumbent Nigerian leader.

It was built in the late 80s and a former military president, Ibrahim Babangida first occupied it in 1991, after he moved the central government from Lagos to Abuja, months after an aborted coup.

President Buhari was also a former Nigerian leader that ruled from Dodan Barracks in Obalende Lagos, from January 1984 to August 1985, when he was toppled by Babangida.

Asked today by an interviewer on France 24, whether Aso Rock was like the Government House he left in 1985.

Buhari answered: It was not the same place. The last time I was there, I was in the barracks. This time I am in a palace. At times, I can’t find my way around. It is so big so much that it must be expensive to maintain. But it is there, it cannot be removed.”

Asked whether he is now a different man, he answered:

“I don’t think basically, I am a different man. I came back to power under a different system.”

Buhari moved into the Villa on 21 June, more than three weeks after he was sworn-in. His predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, had approved some renovation work on the Villa, which stretched far beyond his tenure.President Muhammadu Buhari shocked his interviewer in Paris today that he sometimes misses his way in Aso Presidential Villa, an expansive palace serving a dual purpose as office and residence for an incumbent Nigerian leader.

It was built in the late 80s and a former military president, Ibrahim Babangida first occupied it in 1991, after he moved the central government from Lagos to Abuja, months after an aborted coup.

President Buhari was also a former Nigerian leader that ruled from Dodan Barracks in Obalende Lagos, from January 1984 to August 1985, when he was toppled by Babangida.

Asked today by an interviewer on France 24, whether Aso Rock was like the Government House he left in 1985.

Buhari answered: It was not the same place. The last time I was there, I was in the barracks. This time I am in a palace. At times, I can’t find my way around. It is so big so much that it must be expensive to maintain. But it is there, it cannot be removed.”

Asked whether he is now a different man, he answered:

“I don’t think basically, I am a different man. I came back to power under a different system.”

Buhari moved into the Villa on 21 June, more than three weeks after he was sworn-in. His predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, had approved some renovation work on the Villa, which stretched far beyond his tenure.