Aisha book launch on Thursday
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Mrs Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, on Thursday, April 8, launched her biography in Abuja.
The book which was publicly presented at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa was written by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Dr Hajo Sani with a title “Aisha Buhari: Being different.”
Incidentally, the Aisha book launch was the needed mirror to re examine the tempo of preparations, level of acceptance by presidential aspirants in the 2023 general elections.
It was yet again, the needed opportunity to test the 2023 political waters by varying degrees of aspirants and showcase, in the process, strength, charisma and sagacity.
This is understandably so because of the pivotal role a Nigerian First Lady, either at the presidential or gubernatorial levels, could play in swinging ticket favour to any deserving ‘good boy.’
Yahaya Bello, the executive governor of Kogi State was on ground to show solidarity to the First Lady aptly described as his “Mama.” It was Bello’s day, to say the least.
Those in the know have confirmed over and again that Yahaya Bello is Mrs. Aisha Buhari’s godson. The First Lady has not hidden this fact. It was principally on account of that mother-son relationship that Aisha practically led the second tenure campaigns of the 45 years old Kogi governor in 2019. And he won.
Insiders have also confirmed that Aisha Buhari is the solid rock behind Bello’s 2023 presidential pursuit.
However, while governor Bello was happily seated yesterday, exuding confidence, leaders of his party, APC, in the north central geo-political zone, technically pulled the rug off his feet, admonishing him to forget any presidential goals as that is not the thinking of the middle belt stakeholders.
In very clear language, they told Bello that north central needs party national chairmanship and not presidency. Case closed.
The Asiwaju of Lagos, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, another presidential aspirant, needed such opportunity that availed itself yesterday to publicly eulogise the First Lady and earn some endorsement marks, preparatory for the struggle for APC ticket. He did not disappoint.
But earlier, in his home base, a foremost socio-cultural group, Afenifere, which enjoys a deciding influence in the politics of western Nigeria, had disowned his aspiration saying they have not endorsed him.
Nonetheless, Tinubu’s physical presence and unannounced donation at the Aisha book launch, endeared him to Villa and Katsina political hawks.
Madam ‘pay pay’, former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was present to support her successor in office, which by all calculations, might as well be her predecessor in 2023.
Patience’s husband, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is said to be re dusting up his political curriculum vitae ahead 2023 on APC platform.
While he was not physically present, his wife made it up for him.
Jonathan is rumoured to be highly favoured for the race across party line-PDP, APC.
Not leaving anything to chance, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo honoured the First Lady with full compliments of his household. He attended the book launch alongside his wife who gorgeously sat with Aisha, wearing same white apparel.
Over time, it has become obvious to political pundits that the relationship between Osinbajo and Buhari has waned substantially, a development that seems to nail his presidential desire. But yesterday was a good opportunity to re enact solidarity and he made good use of it. How it translates to political gains and acceptance remains to be seen in the months ahead.
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