Aisha Buhari responds to critics, explains how her US trip is funded

– Aisha Buhari, the wife of the Nigeria’s president, responds to criticism that her trip takes too much from country’s budget

– Mrs Buhari explains there is an office of the First Lady in Nigeria, but it is not being funded by her husband

The First Lady of Nigeria Aisha Buhari told in a recent interview with Voice of America that her ten-day visit to the USA is funded by a sponsorship grant and personal funds.

The wife of President Muhammadu Buhari denied budgetary money were allocated to cover the expenses.

The wife of the president during a visit to the US Institute of Peace. Photo: @USIP

“We sponsored even the government officials that came with us on this trip,” Aisha Buhari revealed.

READ ALSO: Finally! Aisha Buhari opens up on her clash with Governor Fayose, her trip to US

The president’s wife said the office of the First Lady was a worldwide tradition, not just a Nigerian.

“All that we are doing is to help our husbands. For instance, someone can decide to give me Indomie or Maggie, which he cannot give to the president, women need these things.

President Buhari spoke at the same institute last year, promised to defeat Boko Haram. Photo: @USIP

“In any state where a governor’s wife is irrelevant such as Yobe, you will notice that the women are suffering. Whenever we get such gifts, we don’t keep them but share to those in need,” she concluded.

When asked why Nigerians are suffering at this time, the wife of the president said:

“This may be because of the existence of the Treasury Single Account, and the activities of Boko Haram which prevented people from farming last season.”

READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: See more photos of Aisha Buhari on her US trip

Aisha Buhari’s official ten-day visit to the USA started in the late hours of August 3. She received a warm welcome at a Washington airport, along with two immediate criticism concerning her ‘un-Islamic’ clothes and her handbag that costs either N34 million (if original), or N120,000 (if replica).

The wife of the president, accompanied by governors’ wives, visited the US Institute of Peace. She also gave an interview to Voice of America. During the talk she addressed the issue of poverty, starvation and children’s malnutrition in the north-east of Nigeria, as well as her rift with Governor Fayose of Ekiti state. The controversial governor has previously said the Nigeria’s First Lady cannot be travelling to the USA for the fear of being arrested and prosecuted.

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