Buhari Likens His Wife To Opposition Party Member

President Muhammadu Buhari has alluded to his wife, Aisha, as belonging to opposition party whom he cannot satisfy.
He said: “So, I claim superior knowledge over her (Aisha) and the rest of the opposition because in the end I have succeeded. It’s not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government.”
President Buhari was reacting to statement credited to his wife during an interview on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that it was only a few people who were not even members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that chose most of the appointees for the President, and that if things continue the way they are, she would not campaign for her husband’s second term bid in 2019.
The President, who spoke to news men in Berlin, the capital of Germany where he is currently undertaking an official visit, said: “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.
“So I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition because in the end I have succeeded.
“It’s not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government.”
Aisha Buhari, in the BBC interview that her husband “does not know” most of the top officials he appointed to office.
She said that President Buhari has not indicated whether or not he will seek re-election in 2019, but that if he decides to contest, he would have to shake up his cabinet to get her support.
“He is yet to tell me (if he will seek re-election) but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again.”
Mrs. Buhari also gave indication of something which has caused silent anger amongst some leaders of the APC.
She said that some of the President’s appointees did not share the vision of his party and were appointed because of the influence of a “few people.
“Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.”
Asked to name those who had hijacked the government, she refused, saying: “You will know them if you watch television.”
One name that has been repeatedly mentioned as having a strong influence in Mr. Buhari’s appointments is his cousin, Mamman Daura.
Daura, who holds no official position, is said to be the most powerful man in the presidency and is said to have Buhari’s ears.
There have been rumours within the Aso Villa of him having clashes with Aisha Buhari over his influence on her husband.
On whether the president is in charge of his administration, Mrs. Buhari said: “that is left for the people to decide.”
The BBC quotes its reporter Naziru Mikailu, as saying in Abuja that Mrs. Buhari’s decision to go public with her concerns may shock many people, but that it shows the level of discontent with the President’s leadership. [myad]