Nigerians react to president saying First Lady "belongs in the other room"
By Nosmot Gbadamosi, for CNN
Updated 1712 GMT (0112 HKT) October 18, 2016
Story highlights
- President Muhammadu Buhari said wife "belongs to my kitchen, and my living room and the other room."
- Buhari was responding to comments his wife had made regarding his government.
- #TheOtherRoom is trending in Nigeria.
(CNN)Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari's comment that his wife belonged in "the other room" has sent a furious hashtag #TheOtherRoom trending in the country.
On a visit to Germany, and while stood next to Chancellor Angela Merkel, Buhari told reporters: "I don't know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen, and my living room and the other room."
Buhari was responding to criticism from his wife about his leadership. In a BBC interview his wife, Aisha, a businesswoman, questioned his leadership and suggested she may not back his re-election bid unless he shakes up his government.
Buhari's popularity at home has fallen amid a deep recession. He is also battling to stem Boko Haram insurgencies and kidnappings in the north of the country. His wife Aisha has become increasingly involved in advocacy work particularly around helping victims of the Boko Haram conflicts.
Many angry about his comments have taken to Twitter to complain after presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu dismissed Buhari's comments as just "banter".
My friends, can't a leader get a sense humour anymore? Mr. President laughed before that statement was made.
Twitter user Michael B, a social change advocate, wrote that there were no excuses for Buhari's comments.
No excuses, Buhari's #TheOtherRoom comment is demeaning to all women & should b embarrassing to Nigerians of all political persuasions
Nollywood actress and youth advocate Hilda Dokubo posted an angry video message saying "I am a woman and I do not belong to the other room".
"I am a woman & I don't belong in the kitchen" Veteran Actress, Hilda Dokubo reacts to President Buhari's statements#theotherroom
Many in the country were wondering what Buhari could have meant by "the other room". TV host and writer Ebuka Obi-Uchendu put the question out on Twitter. While JJ Omojuwa tweeted the other room had to be important hence its coding.
#TheOtherRoom has to be the most important room...hence the codification of its name.
President Buhari can say his wife belong to his kitchen & living room, but can't bring himself to say "bedroom" in public. Lol#TheOtherRoom
Hilary: "She thought she could influence the Nigerian President's appointments but he drew the line and said she belongs in the Kitchen"...
Users have called for a Nollywood film on The Other Room, and quickly designed posters for it. While another post questioned why "the other room" had to be mentioned by the president at a public conference.
Mummy Aisha I hail thee oo
You must really be hardworking for Daddy Buhari to remember your work in #TheOtherRoom
Nnakwo Jude Chigozie posted a cartoon ridiculing Buhari's comments, and the state of his relationship with Aisha following his statement.
Hehehe!.... Where is Lie Mohammed.... Let him change the topic...#TheOtherRoom @NGRWailers
User Ebube tweeted Buhari was now "crashing" his marriage the way he did Nigeria's economy.
My attention has been drawn to the fact that Mr & Mrs Buhari have resorted to exchanging banter publicly
This govt is a shame to democracy
He crashed our economy in 1984
He also crashed his 1st marriage
He Is crashing our Economy again
His 2nd Marriage is now in #TheOtherRoom
Juliet Kego, founder of a women's leadership network posted that women belonged everywhere.
Women/Girls belong everywhere they darn well CHOOSE -Boardroom, Living room, Bedroom, Situation room, in Space or on the Moon#TheOtherRoom
#ThingsWeNeedTherapyFor Freeing our women folk to fulfill their potential instead of relegating them to #TheOtherRoom
Politician and government adviser, Lugard Tare-Otu tweeted to the international community that Nigeria's women were every inch as equal to its men, regardless of the president's opinions.
To the Int'l Community, we love, respect and value our women, regardless of what our President thinks. He doesn't speak for the Country.
Our woman are every inch equal to our men, regardless of what the President thinks #theotherroom
While John Marco implied Buhari's comments would have a negative effect on future generations.
TEACHER: what do you understand by "Office of the First lady"?
STUDENT: kitchen, bedroom and #TheOtherRoom
Buhari's comments have also sparked similar debates on Facebook with some responding with IamWithAishaBuhari and AishaMustNotBeSilenced tags. The Nigerian president has so far not apologized for his statement.
Women's group Nigerian Feminist Forum noted that while other African countries had made great strides in the representation of women in government, Nigeria still lagged behind.
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