Nigeria's First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari Invites All Presidential Aspirants For Ramadan Dinner.

 

Yesterday, the First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, extended an invitation to host all Presidential aspirants of various political parties tomorrow at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, for the break of Ramadan fast dinner (Iftar).

A list of persons interest in contesting the Presidential election below:

 * Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo

* Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

* The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

* Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

* Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim.

* Bukola Saraki.

* The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

* Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello 

* Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi.

* The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal 

* The Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed.

* Former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

* Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige

* Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

* Businessman Isa Hayatudeen

A few more others have also indicated interest to contest the presidential elections next year.

The invitees while honouring the invitation have also been informed to drop their mobile devices at home as this is statehouse protocol, says an aide.

However, it was gathered that the directive to them not to approach the venue with phones would not apply to Osinbajo and other governors and ministers, who are expected to be at the meeting.

Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Wife of the President, Aliyu Abdullahi, who confirmed the development, said: “There is no issue here. This is a standard operational protocol in the Villa when you are having either of the three occupants of the Presidency in attendance. If they are coming for an event, this is supposed to be DSS-enforced.

This invitation has gotten some critical stakeholders and opinion moulders, expressing their  diverse opinions over the invitation. 

While some see the development as strange and unwarranted, wondering in what capacity the President’s wife is meeting with aspirants, others said the woman has demonstrated a kind of maturity and understanding.

Although the majority of senior members of the ruling APC, especially from the Southern region, bluntly refused to react to the development, stakeholders from opposition parties said the First Lady has simply demonstrated her managerial and accommodative spirit.

"Nigerians what do you think?"