Buhari’s wife relocates to Aso Rock ahead of husband

The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has relocated to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, barely three weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was inaugurated.

Since they were inaugurated, Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo have been operating from outside the Presidential Villa.

This is despite the fact that both men have their official residences and offices inside the Villa.

Both of them have been operating from their private residences as well as the Defence House, official residence of the President-elect located at Maitama District, Abuja.

Our correspondent gathered that Mrs. Buhari formally relocated to the Presidential Villa on Thursday at a time when her husband was out of Abuja.

“Hajia (Buhari) arrived here (Presidential Villa) with her entourage at about 6pm on Thursday. She had relocated ahead of her husband. She passed the night here,” a Presidency official told our correspondent on Friday.

As of the time our correspondent visited the First Lady’s Wing of the Presidential Villa on Friday, some exotic cars were seen parked in front of the premises, an indication that Mrs. Buhari was playing host to some guests.

Another Presidency official told our correspondent that the President is expected to join his wife inside the Presidential Villa on arrival from his local trip.

Buhari had departed Abuja for Kaduna on Tuesday shortly after he arrived from South Africa where he took part in the just-concluded 25th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

He proceeded from Kaduna to his hometown, Daura, in Katsina State.

Buhari is expected back in Abuja from the journey described as “private trips” this weekend.

“The President is expected back this weekend. He will be expected to join his wife here on his arrival,” the source added.

Upon his formal relocation to the Presidential Villa, Buhari is expected to operate for the first time from his office on Monday.

As of the time of filing this report, Osinbajo and his wife have yet to relocate to the Villa.

It was not clear whether they will move in at the same time with Buhari.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, had told our correspondent that ongoing renovation work was hindering Buhari from moving into the Presidential Villa.

He had said, “As far as the President is concerned, the place (his official residence) is not ready yet. Workers are cleaning and refurbishing the place. Once the exercise is completed, the President will move in.”