Presidency defends Aisha Buhari’s absence from Aso Rock for over two months

The Presidency on Saturday debunked reports that the long absence of the President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, from Aso Villa was due to a rift in the presidency.

The Director of Information to the First Lady, Mr Suleiman Haruna, while disclaiming the speculations, said the President’s wife had the freedom to travel to wherever she wanted, as a free citizen.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Aisha had not been in the country for nearly two months.

It was gathered that she jetted out of Saudi Arabia, where she went in company of her husband, to London at the completion of the religious pilgrimage in August.

Meanwhile, her absence became an issue when she was not seen at public functions over time.

Aisha Buhari’s office confirmed that she was truly out of the country in recent time, adding that it has nothing to do with an issue with anyone.

Read also: TROUBLE IN PARADISE? Aisha Buhari leaves Aso Rock over cracks in Presidency

The office told Punch that as a free Nigerian who was not a government official, Mrs Buhari could travel for private engagements both within and outside the country, adding that the reasons for such trips must not be tied to “needless speculation or rumours.”

Also, her spokesperson, Haruna, said the President’s wife had the freedom to be wherever she wanted to be.

“It’s a free world and people have been speculating about everything in this country and it is allowed.

“She is a free Nigerian and does not work for the government. So, if she decides to stay somewhere in her village for two months or to go somewhere and stay for two months, why should it become a national issue?

“She is a free Nigerian and has absolute freedom to move round for however long she wants”, he told Punch.

Speaking on whether Aisha had a rift with anyone in Aso rock, especially the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari, he said; “I am in shock when I hear all these things. I don’t believe in all these rumours about the President’s wife because they are not true.

“That is why, most times, the office does not bother to react to these speculations.”

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