Top government personalities of Islamic faith were moved to observe their regular Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa, over rumored plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to pick Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, as second wife.
In a very rare occurrence and probably to confirm the authenticity of the reports, the Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, top government officials observed prayers at the Villa, on Friday
They however declined comments on why they had to pray at the Presidential Villa open ground behind the President’s office, where they were also joined by the President.
But the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, jocularly remarked after the prayers that “ only those with the right cap colors were part of the reception” , in apparent reference to speculations in the social media.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also jocularly told State House Correspondents that “ only those who attended the Juma’at prayers will be invited to the reception”
The rumor was however, freely discussed amongst staff of the Presidential Villa, many expressing mixed feelings of disappointments as well as the “ unbelievable level” Nigerians have taken rumors in the social media.
For several days, Nigeria’s social media space was awash with several pictures, invitation cards of various designs and even purported pre- wedding engagement of President Buhari and the newly sworn in Minister, invented by social media players to justify the phantom wedding plans.
BusinessDay observed that not even the recent government planned punitive measures to deal with purveyors of such fake news could deter promoters of the news.
Even when Sadiya Umar Farouq, the woman at the center of the event denied the existence of such plans, many Nigerians still felt the wedding will take place today, Friday, 11th of October.
The Minister had in a twit, denied the existence of such plan, adding that her relationship with the first family dates back many years, adding that “ l will like to maintain this good relationship”
The message contained in her twitter handle reads “ There have been several speculations in the media regarding marriage between myself and Baba Buhari. I will like to clarify this, that me and Baba Buhari have been old time friends and Her Excellency, Aisha is my my good friend and a sister. I will like to maintain this good relationship”
Earlier, a Presidency source who also spoke to BusinessDay on the issue, had described the postings on the social media as the “handiwork of idle Nigerians”
The source who spoke on condition of anonymity, wondered why those videos which were indeed recordings of previous events in Daura, during one of the President’s visits to his home town “could now be used to justify their imaginary plans”
BusinessDay gathered from other sources that many are taking advantage of the absence of the outspoken First Lady, Aisha Buhari to create imaginary scenarios about purported plans by the President to marry new wife.
Our source who also confirmed the closeness of Ms. Sadiya Umar Farouq to the first family
“ She is an astute politician from Zamfara State and was one time national treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). So their relationship dates back many years”
Her new roles as a Minister is seen as a reward for her close relationship with the family, which BusinessDay gathered may have also attracted undue attention to her.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
