Northern Group: Aisha Buhari Not Taking over as President

Northern Group: Aisha Buhari Not Taking over as President

Fingers highly placed APC members

A socio-political group, Arewa Youth Integrity Forum (AYIF), has come to the defence of the Nigerian First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, by calling on well-meaning Nigerians to disregard report that she is exerting undue authority at the presidential villa.

The group said the report was an attempt by disgruntled elements in the society to cause disaffection in the country.

It equally noted that this allegation is the latest in a series of smear campaign that has consistently sought to undermine her family life, adding that it however went beyond bounds this time around as those behind it try to precipitate a national crisis by attempting to play on the minds of Nigerians by conjuring a past era that has no similarity with the current scenario.

In a statement issued yesterday ‎in Abuja, the National President of the group, Ibrahim Abubakar, described those behind the report as criminally-minded people trying to paint the northern part of the country as politically domineering in disregard of the constitution.

He stated: "We have it on good authority that those behind the rumour are political terrorists who are highly placed persons in the All Progressives Congress (APC) who want to plunge the country into crisis in pursuit of their personal agenda.

"Those behind this plot went to town with the claim that the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, is acting as president while Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, functions as vice president.

"It is appalling that people can advertise their ignorance on an unprecedented scale by claiming Mrs. Buhari is the one acting as president. The only logical explanation other than crass ignorance is that this claim is being made out of malice and mischief.

"It is therefore sad that this kind of wicked rumour is making the rounds at a time when Nigerians, especially from within his party, should support the president with prayers.”

Continuing, he stressed that: "All Nigerians, the right thinking ones, are aware that President Muhammadu Buhari is the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President. In a record making move, President Buhari properly notified the National Assembly of his 10-day medical leave and Professor Osinbajo’s status as acting President in that time span.

"The Forum hereby categorically warn these characters from disparaging Mrs. Buhari or members of her family."