Why I criticised my husband in public — Aisha Buhari

Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, says her
sense of justice made her grant the BBC
interview that many considered to be critical of her
husband’s government.

In the interview which went viral in 2016, the president’s wife
said Buhari’s government had been hijacked.

She threatened not to support her husband in 2019 if
things continued that way.

“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,” said the president’s wife who was actively
involved in the 2015 campaign.

But speaking on Saturday at the Vanguard Personality of the
Year 2017 awards, Aisha said she did not make those comments out of
disrespect.

She said she was brought up to stand by the truth and that is
how she has been living her life.

Aisha, who was represented by Halima, one of her daughters,
added that Nigerians elected her husband based on the trust
and confidence they have in him and she felt the administration
must serve Nigeria to the best of its ability.

“I wish to thank the management of Vanguard Media Limited for
this unexpected award, in recognition of my humanitarian efforts
towards improving the health and welfare of Nigerians particularly
women, children and less privileged,” she said.

“One of the reasons adduced for honouring me was the interview I
granted which some people saw as criticism to a government that I
am part of. I need to state that my position was a result of
my sense of justice and not confrontation or disrespect.

“I was brought up to stand by the truth and this is how I have
always been. As we are all aware, Nigerians elected this
administration based on the trust and confidence they have on my
husband; I, therefore, feel that we are here to serve Nigeria to
the best of our ability. Let me use this opportunity to state
that I support my husband in this call to service and will continue
to do so.”

The BBC interview was not the only time when Aisha disagreed
with her husband in public. In January, she retweeted videos
of senators who criticised her husband.

In July 2016, she said the “hyenas and jackals” in her
husband’s kingdom would soon be sent packing.

Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, says her
sense of justice made her grant the BBC
interview that many considered to be critical of her
husband’s government.

In the interview which went viral in 2016, the president’s wife
said Buhari’s government had been hijacked.

She threatened not to support her husband in 2019 if
things continued that way.

“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,” said the president’s wife who was actively
involved in the 2015 campaign.

But speaking on Saturday at the Vanguard Personality of the
Year 2017 awards, Aisha said she did not make those comments out of
disrespect.

She said she was brought up to stand by the truth and that is
how she has been living her life.

Aisha, who was represented by Halima, one of her daughters,
added that Nigerians elected her husband based on the trust
and confidence they have in him and she felt the administration
must serve Nigeria to the best of its ability.

“I wish to thank the management of Vanguard Media Limited for
this unexpected award, in recognition of my humanitarian efforts
towards improving the health and welfare of Nigerians particularly
women, children and less privileged,” she said.

“One of the reasons adduced for honouring me was the interview I
granted which some people saw as criticism to a government that I
am part of. I need to state that my position was a result of
my sense of justice and not confrontation or disrespect.

“I was brought up to stand by the truth and this is how I have
always been. As we are all aware, Nigerians elected this
administration based on the trust and confidence they have on my
husband; I, therefore, feel that we are here to serve Nigeria to
the best of our ability. Let me use this opportunity to state
that I support my husband in this call to service and will continue
to do so.”

The BBC interview was not the only time when Aisha disagreed
with her husband in public. In January, she retweeted videos
of senators who criticised her husband.

In July 2016, she said the “hyenas and jackals” in her
husband’s kingdom would soon be sent packing.