Senators ‘exchange fire’ over Buhari, Aisha’s feud

The week-long feud between President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha has extended to the floor of the Senate, as Senators Biodun Olujimi and her counterpart from Adamawa, Binta Garba exchanged fire over the issue.

Trouble started when the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume raised a point of order to draw the attention of his colleagues to the recent rescue of 21 adopted Chibok school girls.

Senator Olujimi, while making her contributions, quipped that “our women should not only be in the kitchen; they should be in the Senate too.”

Her remarks were rebuffed by Senator Garba who maintained: “I am proud to be in the kitchen and also in the Senate. I am first a woman before a Senator and I am proud to be in the Senate too as a woman.”

Olujimi said: “There are people who are still out there. We need to find them. Everyday, we hear that Boko Haram has been conquered and the next minute we hear of bomb blasts. There is confusion everywhere.

“As women, we are proud of our Armed Forces. We also want to appreciate the Red Cross and the Federal Government who were part of the negotiations. We appreciate all their efforts.”

Senator Garba on her part, said: For the girls to have been found, it means there is still hope that the other girls will be found. It is a big joy to mothers, fathers and everyone.”

In his earlier remarks, Ndume recalled how he broke down in tears when he visited the rescued girls at the medical facility of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Read also: CHIBOK GIRLS: Buhari gives conditions for more talks with Boko Haram

Ndume particularly called on the Nigeria Air Force to exercise caution whenever they carry out air bombardment in Sambisa forest in order not to kill the remaining adopted girls who may be in the forest.

“When I went to see the released Chibok girls, I could not hold myself. I broke down in tears. The leader of the girls compelled me to make a promise that the other girls will be returned.

“I was moved to warn the Air Force to be careful when carrying out air raids in Sambisa forest. They should be careful so that they will not kill the remaining girls.”

In his concluding remarks, Deputy President of the Senate who presided during plenary, hailed the efforts of the Armed Forces and other development partners who played a role in the rescue of the adopted school girls.

He said: “On behalf of the Senate, I want to join others in appreciating God. I want to congratulate the Senate Leader. We are very proud to have these girls rescued. We have been asked several times whenever we have traveled when the girls will be rescued.

“We also want to appreciate the Armed Forces and everyone that contributed to the rescue of these girls. I know that they will bring this madness to an end. We need to do more to bring the other girls back home. We say congratulations to the families of the girls for all the trauma they have gone through. In no distant time, we will hear that other girls have been rescued.”

By Ehisuan Odia….

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