Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, has finally given reasons why she criticized her husband in a 2016 interview on BBC Hausa.
In her acceptance statement sent to the Vanguard Newspapers’ Awards after being honoured with the newspaper’s personality of the year, Mrs Buhari disclosed that she was critical of her husband’s administration because of her strong sense of justice.
Mrs Buhari, who was represented at the event by one of her daughters, Halima, stated that she was brought up to stand by the truth and that was how she has been living her life.
The statement read: “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.”
Mrs Buhari had in the 2016 interview with the BBC warned her husband that she might not back him at the 2019 election unless he shakes up his government.
She had claimed that the president did not know most of the top officials he appointed.
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.”
In the BBC interview, the Mrs Buhari refused to name those who had hijacked the government, saying, “You will know them if you watch television.”
