Aisha Buhari, the first lady, on Monday tweeted a video of Hanan, one her daughters, waving at a crowd from the presidential jet.
The 55 seconds clip, accompanied by a musical background, showed Hanan capturing the culture of Bauchi people.
Hanan’s use of one of the aircraft in the presidential fleet to a private ceremony in Bauchi had stirred a controversy, with many accusing her family of abusing power.
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, had said it was illegal for Hanan to use the jet on a private trip.
“The so-called ‘normal practice’ of using the aircraft in the presidential fleet; by members of the first family to attend to private engagements is not backed by any extant law or official policy,” Falana said.
“In view of the foregoing, we call on President Buhari to stop the members of his family; from using any of the aircraft in the presidential fleet “with a view to cutting down on waste”.
“A country that is said to be the headquarters of the greatest number of poverty-stricken people in the world cannot afford to waste billions of Naira; on the use of presidential aircraft and hiring of commercial jets by state governors that are owing workers several months of unpaid salaries.”
Rilwanu Adamu, Emir of Bauchi, had reportedly invited her to document an annual festival and some tourist attractions in the state.
Amidst the backlash and controversy, the wife of the president took to her social media handles to share a clip from the video coverage of the event by her daughter.
Hanan was in the news late last year after she bagged first class from a university in the UK.
Below is a video of the president’s daughter inside the jet:
https://twitter.com/aishambuhari/status/1216637784808722434
Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had defended the first daughter, saying the presidential jet can be used by Buhari’s wife and children.
He explained that the presidency authorised the visit and informed the office of the national security adviser (NSA) to release the jet, adding that the release of the aircraft followed due process.
“The normal practice in existence for a long time is that the presidential air fleet is available; to the president and the first family and four others,” the presidency said in a statement.
“These four are the vice-president, the senate president the speaker; and any other person authorised by the president.”
