The Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia supposedly denied giving the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha and her five children the VIP treatment that comes with being members of Nigeria’s first family.
The Nigerian embassy for inexplicable reasons gave favorite to ex-vice-president Namadi Sambo and his entourage of 15 family members over that of President Buhari when both arrived for the lesser Hajj.
Leadership reports that both families arrived in Saudi Arabia this week for Umrah and while Aisha Buhari and her five children were given two-bedroom apartment, Sambo was given an eight-room accommodation.
It was further said that while not a sole protocol officer and vehicles were sent by the embassy to attend to Buhari’s family, a protocol officer and vehicles from the embassy were posted to the former vice president and his family.
An insider from the embassy disclosed that Aisha Buhari had travelled to Saudi Arabia via Emirate Airline instead of the presidential airplane, as was the practice in the previous governments, and had decided to seek alternative accommodation by herself at her own payment, to accommodate her and her children.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia organised an official vehicle for transportation needs of the Nigerian president’s family around as it is done for the families of all visiting heads of state.
The source further said that Ahmed Umar, the consular-general, still sees himself as being more obliged to Mr Sambo than anyone else because former vice-president it was that was instrumental to his elevation and posting to Saudi Arabia.
He still sees himself principally as Sambo’s aide.
The insider added that even the two-bedroom accommodation fixed for Buhari’s family was a result of the efforts of the ambassador, Alhaji Abubakar Bunu, and not the consular-general.
It should be noted that while the Peoples Democratic Party was in power, the incumbent president and his family were denied any honours by the Nigerian embassy in Saudi Arabia, even those due to a former head of state because he was in the opposition.
The Umrah is performed by Muslims from all over the world who meet in the holy city of Mecca to perform the ritual, which can be started at any time of the year but mostly observed during the month of Ramadan fasting.
The pilgrims observe a series of worship activities signifying the lives of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his second wife, Hajara.
It should be also mentioned that Buhari’s wife has denounced herself, saying that she is not the first lady, she is the wife of the president and will be addressed as such going forward.
No comments:
Post a Comment