While the public anticipated a comment from the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, regarding the alleged marriage between her husband President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister Sadia Umar Farouq, the First Lady has said that she is not in the position to confirm or debunk the rumored news.
According to her, those involved, referring to President Buhari and Sadia, have the sole responsibility to respond to the allegations.
Within Nigeria news had reported this comment which according to them was contained “in her reaction on Sunday when she told BBC Hausa that responsibility to confirm or deny the rumour was that of those involved in the matter.”
“While answering questions from BBC Hausa correspondent, Aisha Buhari stated that “He (Buhari) is the person rumoured to be planning a marriage, not Aisha Buhari. They (those concerned) are supposed to come out and clear the air.”
“The first lady denied a rumour that she left her husband because she did not agree with his plan take a second wife and called for urgent action against the menace of fake news.”
While the Presidency has denied the news about President Buhari marrying a second wife on Friday, which was last week, October 11, it is yet to confirm or deny whether President is marrying a second wife at all.
Aisha Buhari, who just arrived from the UK after two months, addressed newsmen on her arrival, stating that her prolonged visit was because of her children and her health.
She said:
“It has been a tradition for us. For like 20 to 27 years now, if our children are on holiday, we spend it with them.
“I never abandon my children and last year, I went to Spain and spent two months with Zahra when she gave birth.
“While on holiday in the U.K, I fell sick; so, I stayed back to see a doctor who advised me to stay back to attend to my health.
“From the U.K, I travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and returned to England on doctor’s advice. They also advised that I should slow down my activities.”
Aisha Buhari also made reference to the period when her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, was rumored to be dead when he was grievously ill.
“The genesis of this fake news started when my husband fell sick and perpetrators of this act were showing fake ambulance, hospital and dead body, suggesting that my husband was dead.
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“That time, I received so many calls from other first ladies and presidents of other countries to confirm; so I called the attention of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the National Orientation Agency.
“Fake news will lead this country to something else if actions are not taken with immediate effect.”