For the umpteenth time, the first lady, Aisha Buhari was at it again. In a statement signed by her and released to the press last week, the first lady accused Garba Shehu, senior special assistant on media and publicity to the president for divided loyalty. In the statement, Garba Shehu is being accused for taking directive from Mamman Daura who happens to be Mr President nephew. Whether the first lady’s allegation is true or not will depend on the Garba Shehu’s version of the story. Yes, Nigerians want to hear from Garba Shehu to be able to assess the truth of the matter and pass their judgement. However, this is not the first time the first lady fires her salvo. During Buhari’s first tenure, Aisha Buhari blamed some cabals in the presidency. She boldly stated her husband has been caged by some cabals. President Buhari, who was in Germany, jokingly replied that his wife belongs to the kitchen and the other room.
Since the election of President Buhari for the first and second terms, it seemed Aisha Buhari has never been in good mood. Why? She has been fighting many battles within the family cabals and above all his relatives or kiths. But the bone of contention or genesis of this problem can be traced to Buhari’s first tenure. During his campaign, Buhari promised never to operate the office of the first lady. To him, the office is not constitutionally recognised. The president is said to have preferred Aisha to be called “wife of the president”. In view of the promise, Aisha had never operated the office of the first lady. However, being the wife to Mr President, she attended many official functions and maintained her pet programe aimed at empowering women and less privileged in the country.
The seemingly ongoing cold war between Aisha and Mamman Daura should have been an entirely family matters. The way it is being fought and exposed is bad. It ridicules the country’s democracy and Buhari’s government in particular. Mr President should break his silence and summon an emergency family meeting. Let this age-long rivalry between the duo be resolved once and for all. If he fails to resolve it, the buck will always stop on his desk.
Ibrahim Mustapha,
Pambegua, Kaduna state
08169056963.
