‘Let’s Face It, Aisha Buhari Is A Hypocrite’

Nigeria’s political landscape is filled with stakeholders who have mastered the art of selling unreal versions of themselves to the public. And that now seems to include Mrs Aisha Buhari.

Aisha stormed the scene dishing out unflattering scorecards of a government over which her husband presides. But the gusty wind now gives us a clear view of what the bird conceals beneath its feathers.

I recall I friend telling me President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term would unveil the true faces of prominent Nigerian politicians. Aisha Buhari’s seeming duplicity proves his point.

To start with, the First Lady apparently runs an office her husband vowed to abolish. In 2014, Buhari promised to do away with the office of the first lady because such office was not recognised by the Nigerian constitution. That “unconstitutional” office is currently occupied by a woman who insists that the president must keep his word.

In January 2015, Aisha said she would stand by her husband’s decision to abide by the rule of law should he be elected president.

“When my husband is elected as the president of this country, he will rule the country within the rule of law based on the constitution of the country,” she said.

“If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognised, he will not tamper with it, but if it is not that’s okay.

“For me, I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally,” she said.

But in 2018, President Buhari appointed 10 aides to the “Office of the Wife of the President” and that of the Vice President’s wife.

News of the appointments became public several weeks after Aisha started complaining of the way her husband was running the country, even accusing him of failing to fulfil his campaign promises (except the one regarding the office of the “First Lady”).

Aisha Buhari seemed to be the only voice of reason as one cabal like that “hijacked” Aso Rock in the absence of ailing president. Nobody could speak up in the Buhari government but this brave woman would not be silent. She would have her say.

Aisha was so fearless that, in October 2017 and hours after the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially declared Buhari its candidate for 2019 presidential election, she threatened to work against her husband and the ruling party.

She was apparently unhappy that someone she wanted near the seat of power couldn’t get a ticket to contest a local election.

“Given this development, one will not hesitate than dissociate from such unfairness, be neutral and speak for the voiceless,” Aisha said in a statement.

“It is important for the populace to rise against impunity and for voters to demand from aspirants to be committed to the provision of basic amenities such as potable drinking water, basic healthcare, education within conducive and appropriate learning environments.

“Let us vote wisely,” she said and, like the duplicitous politicians before her, won our impressionable hearts.

Aisha was so adamant about exercising her right to free speech that some members of the cabal she was at war with reportedly nicknamed her “Adamawa Bomber”.

It is this same Aisha that just told Nigerians to shut up and accept the (anti) social media bill that is before the Senate. The odd thing about that bill, which “they” say is designed to fight hate speech, is that it doesn’t even capture the definition of hate speech.

Madam First Lady, who unloaded on the Buhari government over its failure to provide healthcare, potable water and qualitative education for Nigerians recently went to Kogi State to beg the electorate to forgive and re-elect Governor Yahaya Bello – a state executive that was owing workers for 30 months.

Hypocrisy much, Madam!

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