The First Lady Aisha Buhari has stirred up controversy after granting an interview to the BBC. Excerpts of the interview were published on Tuesday, October 11 and in it, the first lady said some things that caught the attention of Nigerians.

Aisha is reported to have made some comments about her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari and some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The BBC plans to air the full interview on its programme, ‘Gane Mini Hanya’, on Saturday, October 15. But, report has it that Buhari has been mounting pressure on them not to air the full interview, fearing that the first lady might have said more damaging things.

However, the BBC has said it won’t back down from airing the interview unless Aisha decides against it.

The first lady said a lot of things that has got Nigerians talking and sparked up controversy. Below are some of the things that has put the first lady in trouble.

[b][size=15pt]1. Buhari betrayed those who voted for him[/size]

According to her, Buhari did not give appointments to those who worked for his victory in the 2015 presidential elections. Instead, he appointed people who didn’t do anything for him.

“This worries us a lot now. Because they believe they are the ones who suffered, but are no where today. People who do not have voters card are those who are given appointments and enjoying the government.

“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.”

[size=15pt]2. There is crack within the APC[/size]

Aisha said that some people have started causing division within the APC because they felt they laboured for the party and helped it to power in 2015. They believe they deserve to be compensated but have been shunned by the president.

“Many people have started dividing the leadership of the APC and that is really making us feel not too good.

“They are doing that because they felt they laboured for the party and deserved to be compensated.”

[size=15pt]3. Buhari doesn’t know those working for him[/size]

The wife of the president said majority of those working with her husband were unknown to him.

“Among all the people he selected, if he is asked among 50 people, he does not know 45. I don’t know them despite staying with him for 27 years.”

[size=15pt]4. She may not back him at the next election[/size]

Though Buhari has not told her whether he would contest the 2019 election, the first lady may not support her husband at the next election if things continue the way it is.

“He is yet to tell me but I have decided as his wife, that 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.”

[size=15pt]5. The government has been hijacked[/size]

Aisha claims the government had been hijacked by a “few people” who are behind presidential appointments. She however, refused to name them saying, “You will know them if you watch television.”

[size=15pt]6. She can’t say if her husband is in charge[/size]

The first lady was asked if President Buhari is in charge and her reply was, “That is left for the people to decide.”

[size=15pt]7. She believes her husband has improved security.[/size]

According to her, one of Buhari’s major achievements was to improve security in the north-east where militant Islamist group Boko Haram has waged an insurgency since 2009.

“No-one is complaining about being attacked in their own homes. Thankfully everyone can walk around freely, go to places of worship, etc. Even kids in Maiduguri have returned to schools.”[/b]

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Lalasticlala, Mynd44