Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has doubled down on his comments mocking his wife, Aisha Buhari. Ironically, Buhari’s remarks were made in the presence of one of the most powerful people in the world, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a woman.
Buhari has come out to contradict his spokesperson, Garba Shehu who dismissed his principal’s remarks to German journalists, in which he said that his wife ‘belongs to the kitchen, the living room and the other room“.
Following the outrage that greeted the president’s misogynic comments in Germany, his media aides attempted damage control by saying that he believes in the role of women in nation building and since Buhari laughed before making the comment, then it could be believed that what he said after was a joke.
My friends, can't a leader get a sense humour anymore? Mr. President laughed before that statement was made.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) October 14, 2016
He was obviously throwing a banter.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) October 14, 2016
In an exclusive interview with DW’s Phil Gayle, President Buhari insisted that his wife Aisha should stay out of politics.
“Recently your wife criticized your choices for top jobs, and you responded by saying “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room.” What did you mean by that, sir?”, DW asked President Buhari.
In his response to the question, President Buhari said: “I am sure you have a house. … You know where your kitchen is, you know where your living room is, and I believe your wife looks after all of that, even if she is working.””
“That is your wife’s function?”, DW made an attempt to clarify, to which Buhari replied: “Yes, to look after me.”
“And she should stay out of politics?”, DW asked again. “I think so”, Buhari insisted.
Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu in an effort to clarify the President’s initial comment which has long gone viral said that “He was obviously throwing a banter.”
Garba in a series of tweets said “My friends, can’t a leader get a sense of humour anymore? Mr. President laughed before that statement was made.
“Politics sometimes should be spiced with humour. Those of us close to him knows there is never a dull moment with him.
“Mr. President respects the place of women in our society. He believes in the abilities of women.
“One of Nigeria’s most sensitive office today is headed by a woman, Mrs. Adeosun. This is an evidence of the confidence he reposes on women.”
“My friends, can’t a leader get a sense humour anymore? Mr. President laughed before that statement was made.”
Many Nigerians have taken to the social media to attack the President’s comments as misogynistic, comparing him to U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Hattip to Signal
