Perhaps, the headline should read, “Who blackmailed the billionaire’s telling them Aisha’s book launch did not have the complete approval of the President and those who show generosity at the launch would displease the President…or his powerful team responsible for dishing out patronage?”
Accusing fingers are being pointed in the direction of a powerful cabal, Mrs. Buhari has been having an all-out political battle with. They are alleged to be relatives of the President, but there is no concrete evidence to prove the alleged activities of the shadowy group.
One source wryly asked, “Why are you bothered if (my principal) was not around, where was her husband? (My principal) is not in the country, so could not make it.”
Reminded that President Muhammadu Buhari was away for medical check up and a rest, he laughed boomingly. Also, reminded that his boss would have given a right hand to be at Thursday’s event or flown from anywhere in the world to be there, he smiled and went silent.
Asked if any word was passed around, behind the scene, to block the presence of the billionaires, he simply smiled and remained mum.
Another source on Friday veered off the inquiry and concentrated more on the praises heaped on Aisha Buhari by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
His point: the nation’s number two man was allegedly taking sides against the same persons who wanted the book launch to fail. That was said to have rattled, ruffled feathers.
And who are they? “The same persons who she has been fighting with over their undue influence on her husband.”
Names? “Nigerians know them. Journalists know them more. After all, there was a shooting incident around the Presidential Villa and it was reported by journalists. Go back to that event and check the parties involved,” he said.
Another source said: “They want to completely embarrass her. They wanted to use the book launch to test the grounds. Why was it that it was Asiwaju that spoke, what did he say, and where did he sit. Of course they told them not to come. You know that there are two divides. The Tinubu group are trying to pull their strings, this group is trying to pull their strings. Remember the sugar controversy. One person may have agreed not to show up so he could be granted his desire to have someone’s company shut down. Don’t worry, it will all unfold in the coming weeks.”
The Cable newspaper, it would be recalled, reported that many prominent Nigerians were present on Thursday as Aisha Buhari, the first lady, launched her book — but the majority of billionaires invited were conspicuously absent.
Not only were the billionaires expected to grace the book launch, but they were also pencilled down as presenters at the event.
The launch of the biography titled, ‘Aisha Buhari: Being different’, held at the Banquet Hall, presidential villa, Abuja.
Bola Shagaya was in attendance but the likes of Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Arthur Eze, Femi Otedola, Muhammadu Indimi, Jim Ovia, Kessington Adebutu, and Idahosa Wells Okunbo were a no-show.
Folorunsho Alakija, who recently dropped off the Forbes list of dollar billionaires, was listed as the special guest of honour — but she was also absent.
Rather than completely snub the event, the absent billionaires opted to send representatives to attend in their stead.
While the business icons failed to turn up, political heavyweights like Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo were in attendance.
Tinubu, who was the chairman of the occasion, described Aisha Buhari as a “voice of conscience” who has played a unifying role in the country.
He said: “Given the First Lady’s achievements, no one can reasonably question the role of a First Lady any longer. Remember there were those who argued that the constitution does not assign an official role to the First Lady. Because of Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari, their concerns have been forever laid to rest.
“Mrs. Buhari shows that a First Lady should not stand aloof and detached from what is happening in the country. Mrs. Buhari never shies from what she believes in. This makes her a reliable and true advisor to her beloved husband. No doubt that Mr. President’s administration has been enriched because of her active role and the teamwork that exists between husband and wife.”
Other bigwigs in attendance include Ovie Omo-Agege, depute senate president; Patience Jonathan, the former first lady; Sa’ad Abubakar II, the Sultan of Sokoto; and Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.
Amina Sambo, wife of former vice-president; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti state governor; Simon Lalong, Plateau state governor; Mai Mala Buni, Yobe governor, among others, were also present at the book launch.
▪︎ Additional reports by The Cable
When you format a phone, what happens, you lose all the info, and begin to refill it. But it has its limits when the phone is old, and it happens, you cannot achieve it. Do you remember the post-election video where a question was asked and a completely different answer was provided. That was redeemed, but this time around it is worse and redemption may be difficult. Watch the next few weeks. They shipped him out for a restoration, but the heart and brain may not be able to withstand it again. I think they will fail because there is a God that rules ìn the affairs of men.The plan appears to be an Osinbajo Mai Mala Buni ticket.
A lot is going down and efforts are on to scale her down before 2023, so all you are seeing are deals over money.
Why did he say what he said? He praised her to the high heavens. He used her to hit at other First Ladies, talked about her being able to face her husband, talked about her courage to square up to his staff and all around him who are not doing what is expected of them. He said though her comments were often controversial she was courageous and spoke the truth.
On such an occasion? With your husband in the hospital.
Monguno’s comments. He shares the same sentiments as her.
They want to cripple every opposition. The coast is not clear as to who will take . His going abroad has spoiled their gameplan
Zulum. He has the clout to take on the terrorists so they won’t burden him with being number.