President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) was first haunted by the spectre of women who have problems controlling their mouths when his wife Mrs Aisha Buhari claimed that he was being manipulated by certain individuals whom he appointed into office in spite of the fact that he didn’t really know them. Back then she said; “if things continue like this, I am not going to be part of any re-election movement”.
Whilst fielding questions on those totally inappropriate remarks PMB gave the world an insight into his mindset as regards the role of women. He told the world that he married Aisha for domestic duties, not her political opinions! Although he received international condemnation for openly espousing such antiquated views, many Nigerian men quietly agreed with him. The role of a wife is to support her husband come what may, not add to his problems.
Now another woman named Aisha who PMB isn’t married to has made inappropriate remarks regarding his politics. The Minister for Women’s Affairs Aisha Alhassan recently declared her support for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for President in 2019. PMB’s antagonised supporters feel that she should have resigned before making statements which imply that she doesn’t believe in either her boss or his policies. But in truth Madam Minister’s critics expected a level of principled behaviour which doesn’t exist amongst Nigerian political office holders. In accusing her of being poor in honour and decency they are ascribing to her standards which Nigerian politicians jettisoned long ago. There is no doubt that remaining as a Minister while openly supporting one of PMB’s most vocal opponents is reprehensible, but it begs the question why did she have to say anything in the first place when neither Buhari nor Atiku is currently the Presidential candidate for any political party in 2019? There is definitely more to the matter than meets the eye.
The myriad of condemnations and calls for her resignation could easily be described as the sort of “hate speech” which government is trying to legislate against. Worse still, the insults have clouded the more salient points surrounding the matter. The most condemnable part of Madam Minister’s declaration was that she never claimed her support for Atiku was predicated upon any belief that he was the best candidate. She said her support was purely because he was her “Godfather even before she joined politics”. This illustrates the superficiality of ethics amongst those occupying top government positions in Nigeria. They fail to appreciate that politics is supposed to be a higher calling. It’s a chicken and egg situation as to whether lack of principles amongst Nigerian politicians gave birth to Godfatherism or vice-versa?
Madam Minister went on to tell the world that she never expected to be a Minister in the first place. Known as “Mama Taraba” by her supporters she was the first female Senator from her State. Her statement prompts queries as to whether indeed she was ever really “qualified” for all the political appointments she has held, or it has all been a result of godfatherism? Madam Minister was not nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) she is the President’s appointee, and Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai’s claims that PMB was severely warned not to appoint her. She has taken us back to an Obasanjo era situation where Atiku’s supporters are once again claiming that a President promised to serve only one term.
Although Nigerians are hearing this about PMB for the first time, it may indeed be true because our politicians habitually meet surreptitiously in the night to make agreements. It’s only when they feel cheated that they come out to inform the rest of us in broad daylight! There is no doubt that Madam Minister’s statement was ill-considered and unnecessary. PMB’s political opponents claim that it’s an indication of things falling apart in this administration. Even though she hasn’t flouted any aspect of the APC constitution, Madam Minister shouldn’t be eating her cake and having it.
However, if she is really doing a marvellous job as a Minister and adding value to the government it’s PMB’s prerogative to retain her in spite of her political backstabbing. Disappointingly, Government appears to be reacting in a totally inappropriate manner. Reports are leaking from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation claiming that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development has been asked to refund to the Federation Account the relatively paltry sum of N11.7 Million by which the nation was “defrauded”. No evidence whatsoever has been provided to implicate Madam Minister in the scandal. The whole matter reeks of vindictiveness and is in poor taste. Unfortunately, it adds credence to allegations that the anti-corruption war is selective and aimed only at enemies of the government while notoriously corrupt supporters go scot-free.
As for Madam Minister’s Godfather Atiku, he isn’t even PMB’s immediate rival. At the APC’s Presidential Primaries, he placed third behind both PMB and ex-Kano State Governor Kwankwaso. There is little reason to assume he will get the APC nomination this time round. Madam Minister, a former PDP stalwart, appears ready to decamp once again and follow her Godfather into any party he decides to join. There are speculations that she was expecting to be dropped in a long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, and is merely grandstanding to feather her next nest. Be that as it may, the whole mess is a warning to PMB that he isn’t as popular as his inner circle would want him to believe. There is opposition from within. Issues of restructuring, Niger Delta, Fulani Herdsmen, Biafra agitation, Shiites, Boko Haram, election promises, and public relations have not been handled well.
It’s time his administration handled what he considers to be the “affairs of men” properly so that our women can remain content in the kitchen and other room!
