Nigeria’s first lady returns amid rumours Buhari plans to wed fellow politician

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 15 Oct, 2019 10:12 | < 1 min read
Aisha Buhari
Nigeria's First Lady Aisha Buhari speaks to BBC Hausa. PHOTO | BBC
Nigeria's First Lady Aisha Buhari speaks to BBC Hausa. PHOTO | BBC

Nigeria's First Lady Aisha Buhari has returned to the country after two months abroad, telling reporters when she arrived on Saturday that "fake news" was a scourge that will "lead us to something unimaginable".

While away, Mrs Buhari had been on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and spent time in the UK.

On her return, the first lady appeared to confirm rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari had intended to marry fellow politician Sadiya Farouq, telling BBC Hausa in cryptic comments that the purported bride-to-be was disappointed the marriage hadn’t taken place:

"The person that promised her [Sadiya Farouq] marriage didn't know it wasn't going to happen. She [Ms Farouq] didn't deny the marriage until the day passed."

Social media was awash with speculation about the wedding, with some claiming it was supposed to have taken place on Friday.

Neither President Buhari nor Ms Farouq has commented.

Mrs Buhari also confirmed that a viral video showing her arguing with her husband's niece at the presidential compound was genuine, but old. The niece, Fatima Mamman Daura, told the BBC she filmed the video herself sometime in 2018 but it had been circulated more recently by "mischief-makers".