Aisha Buhari does not belong to the kitchen – Alibaba

Contrary to the impression created by President Muhammadu Buhari, comedian Alibaba has argued that Aisha Buhari does not belong in the kitchen or any of the rooms in Aso Rock.

Mrs Buhari sparked controversy when she said in a BBC interview that she would not campaign for her husband’s re-election in 2019 if he does not reshuffle his cabinet.

Reacting in faraway Germany, the President said “I don’t know exactly what party my wife belongs to. Actually she belongs in the kitchen, the living room and the other rooms in my house.”

The statement was roundly condemned by many people who labelled Buhari as sexist, misogynist and embarrassment to the country he leads.

Commenting in an Instagram post on Monday, Alibaba said “From my last check, she is not in Purdah and has been an advocate for the betterment of women. She would not have had the success she had in her career like she has today if he did not support her or better put, give her that room, not the other room, to operate.”

The 51-year-old attempted a soft landing for the President,  saying “My take is, Buhari wanted to say, the wife has a right to say what she wants to say but as far as his administration was concerned, her role was limited to those places mentioned (kitchen, living room and the other room).”

Aisha’s Buhari… does not belong to the kitchen. Like every other successful career woman in Nigeria, she belongs to the areas where she and her likes can help to build a great nation. From my last check, she is not In Purdah and has been an advocate for the betterment of women. She is vocal about the things she is concerned about, and if you know the kind of man she married, if he did not support her or better put, give her that room, not the other room, to operate, she would not have had the success she had had in her career like she has today. True she is the wife of Mr president. True, he has the right to say where his wife belongs. But don’t be fooled by the hype and brouhaha that had been generated. That is not a woman that is conscripted to a kitchen. That is a very free woman. I had to go read her past interviews to see if she had changed. She hasn’t. She is still vocal, and will always say it as it is. Even those who called her a criminal wanted in the United States of America, all of a sudden see her as Queen Amina. My take is, Buhari wanted to say, the wife has a right to say what she wants to say but as far as his administration was concerned, her role was limited to those places mentioned (kitchen, living room and the other room). Notice that they don’t share the same bedroom. The main bedroom is different from the other room. When was the last time she made his meals? If you have been to the Presidential villa, they don’t share the same “rooms” SEF! But that said, as a wife, those are the areas of restrictions. But as a an advocate… she is at large. Aisha is a Citizen without borders. But if that bothers you, konteeenuuuuu!

A photo posted by Ali Baba (@alibabagcfr) on Oct 16, 2016 at 11:40pm PDT

An unrepentant Buhari, however, stands by his words.