Nearly two years after she spoke against her husband’s administration and gave an impression that he was not his own man, wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has offered explanations.
Then, Mrs. Buhari had said she would find it difficult to step out in 2019 to canvass for votes for him from women.
Her husband has since declared his intention to contest in 2019, but it appears his wife is on the same page with him.
In her acceptance statement sent to the Vanguard Newspapers’ Awards Where she was honoured as one of the newspaper’s personalities, Mrs. Buhari, represented by her daughter, Halima, said: “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.
“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. On this note, I hereby dedicate this award to the people of Nigeria, especially women. Thank you sincerely for this award.”
In her 2016 interview with BBC, she had said: “The President does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.
“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.”