Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Thursday described views expressed on the social media platforms by First Lady Aisha Muhammadu Buhari as “forthright, crisp, truthful and once in a while controversial”.
He spoke at the State House in Abuja during the public presentation of the book, Aisha Buhari, Being Different” written by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Dr Hajo Sani.
Osinbajo said Mrs Buhari was an unusual occupier of the First Lady’s Office whose spontaneity had redefined the role of the office, stating that she had taken steps outside the box of what used to be the personage and traditional roles in Nigeria’s presidential history.
He said her unusual approaches had endeared her to the Nigerian public.
“She’s, of course, the first First Lady to be on Twitter, on Instagram, and other social media platforms, getting her unfiltered views across to the Nigerian people and she’s probably the first to receive, in real time, the opinions of Nigerians on her views.
“With her views, forthright, crisp, truthful and once in a while controversial, she has established an ongoing conversation with the Nigerian people.
“The issues that concern them most, the issues that concern us the most; good governance, security, putting food on the table, the education of our children, prompt payment of pensions to army veterans, drug abuse, the violation and victimisation of women and every once in a while she airs her own personal struggles, her annoyance, in a manner, probably unprecedented in the role of the First Lady anywhere.
“There’s no question that Aisha Buhari is different. Her difference has been empowering for the Nigerian people and there is never any question that her comments come from a good place, a place of genuine love and respect for the Nigerian people and our several concerns,” he also said.
Osinbajo said the book highlighted Aisha Buhari’s evolution from a silent supporter of her husband’s political adventures to an active mobilizer and campaigner who played a major role in selling him to the Nigerian electorate.
A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Aisha Buhari as a “voice of conscience” who has played a unifying role in the country.
Tinubu, who chaired the occasion, said Aisha Buhari remained a strong pillar of support not only to President Buhari but also to the Nigerian people.
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.
“The first lady has played an uplifting, unifying role both in symbol and substance. She has been a voice of conscience calling us to be our better selves for the good of the nation and for the betterment of the weakest, most vulnerable among us.”
Those who bought copies of the book included Tinubu, N20m; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, N30m; Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, N25m; Mrs Folorunso Alakija, N10m and Chief Kessington Adebutu, N10m.
