How Aisha Buhari clarified her position in President Buhari’s government

monjola sotubo

July 2, 2015 2:17 PM

However, despite being married to the nation’s number one man, Mrs Buhari will not be addressed as ‘First Lady’.

Chief Justice of Nigeria Mahmud Mohammed swears in Muhammadu Buhari (C) as Nigeria's president while Buhari's wife Aisha looks on at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria May 29, 2015. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Aisha Buhari is the wife of Nigeria’s newly-elected President, Muhammadu Buhari.

This is due to a commitment made by her husband to prevent the abuses that the office has encouraged over the years.

Mrs Buhari also showed her support for the policy saying, before her husband was elected, that she would perform her duties ‘as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally.’

“When my husband is elected as the president of this country, he will rule the country within the rule of law based on the constitution of the country. If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognised, he will not tamper with it, but if it is not that’s okay,” Mrs Buhari said on January 24, 2015, while speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign event.

“For me, I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally. Wives of presidents have some traditional roles, like receiving guests, visiting orphanages, helping the less privileged people. They also lead in the fight for the right of women and malnourished children, infant mortality rate, kidnapping and girl-child trafficking,” she added.

However, Mrs Buhari recently made clear that she has another position in her husband’s government; she is also his protector.

The first hint of this came on May 29, 2015, when she stood unflinchingly behind him as he took his oath of office.

The look on her face seemed to mean: “Don’t mess with this one, I’ve got his back.”

Mrs Buhari confirmed the sentiment when, on June 13, 2015, she warned her husband’s aides, in office or incoming, to be careful around him.

“There was nothing that people did not say about the past administration. It is not former President Goodluck Jonathan that is not good but the people around him. So, the people that are going to be around President Buhari have to be very careful…,” she said.

With this statement, Mrs Buhari effectively informed her President’s advisers that she would not sit by and allow them destroy her husband.

She also warned against the trend of paying bribes to see the President or the First Lady.

“I will like to inform you that in the past regime, whether it is true or false, only God knows, some people were going round and parading themselves as personal assistants. If you wanted to see the President’s wife, you will pay $30,000 or $50,000 and if you are seeing the President, you will pay all that you have saved in your lifetime,” Mrs Buhari said.

“This will not happen in our regime. Whoever asks you to give a single penny in the name of coming to see the President or his wife is not our (member of) staff. He is not an APC member, it is a lie. Don’t be deceived,” she added.

Mrs Buhari said “our regime”, meaning First Lady title or no, she’ll be with her husband every step of the way.

Hence, Nigerians can rest easy knowing that their new ‘First Lady’ will not be mocked worldwide for her antics as she’ll be too busy supporting her husband to bring him, or the nation, to disrepute.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Aisha Buhari, wife and protector of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

monjola sotubo