The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress’ Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Rochas Okorocha, says the comment of President Muhammadu Buhari about his wife was taken out of context.
Governor Okorocha is appealing to Nigerians to exercise restraint in their criticism of the President’s reaction to the interview granted by his wife, Mrs Aisha Buhari, to the BBC.
Mrs Buhari had at that interview expressed displeasure with the make-up of persons appointed by her husband, saying that a large number of them was not known by President Buhari.
She had asked her husband to consider rejigging his appointees, warning that if thing continue the same way, she may not support him if he decides to run for a second term in office in 2019.
The wife of the President insisted that the presidency had been hijacked, saying that a “few people” were behind presidential appointments.
While addressing a press conference in Germany, President Buhari was asked to comment on his wife’s statement.
President Buhari dismissed the comments, saying: “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room, and the other room”.
This comment has triggered criticisms, with many women’s rights activists raising concerns.
Addressing reporters in Abuja on Sunday, Mr Okorocha said there was the need for Nigerians to exercise caution in the way they react to the comment.
He also said that the interview of the wife of the president was also taken out of context.
“I was there when the president made the comment and both the wife’s interview and the President’s comment were taken out of context.
“I can understand why international community speak on this matter. It is because of woman’s rights and all that that is going on right now in the whole world.
“I tend to believe that Nigerians will understand the situation better than any other persons in the world.
“I do not think that those were the intentions, as being described by all and sundry and those condemning the act.
“If there is a clarion call to say ‘Mr President look into your cabinet and bring in more people’, there is nothing wrong for Mr President to take note of the comment by people.
“That is not really the situation that should create a big hullabaloo,” the Imo State Governor stated.
He added he was aware that some persons that work for the party were complaining every day, asking for the release of the board appointment.
Critics have said that the statement by the wife of the President showed that there was internal wranglings within the ruling All Progressives Congress.