The Nigerian media was in an uproarthis week over a watch first lady
Aisha Buhari wore during her husband's inauguration ceremonies. She
also wore the accessory described as a Cartier Baignoire Folle
18-Carat White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch in her newly unveiled
official portrait. Nigeria media have estimated the watch costs
roughly $52,000, or more than what President Muhammadu Buhari earnsin
three months from his official salary.
The timepiece triggered outrage from some Nigerians as the newly
elected president has vowed to crackdown on government corruption,
including overpaid public officials. Buhari played up his modest
background while on the campaign trail, claiming he was a pastoral
farmer with 150 cows who could barely afford to pay for his
presidential nomination form. More than 50 percent of Nigerians live
below the international poverty line of US$1.25 per day, accordingto
the United Nations.
Some have claimed that the watch is merely a knockoff and doesn't cost
more than $129. But critics said the watch is the real deal and is
made of white gold and brilliant-cut diamonds. The official portrait
of Aisha Buhari was released hours after the inauguration last week
attended by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, among other world
leaders.
#IsThisTheChange? First Lady Aisha Buhari wore a 18-Carat White Gold
Diamond watch worth N10m http://t.co /K4bnf1Tv27 pic.twitter.com/MTf
y5SppSU
â€" Bishop Ikedi (@BishopIkedi1) June 2, 2015
Buhari defeated incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in April by about 2
million votes, according to Nigeria's Independent National Electoral
Commission. He first ruled Nigeria after a military coup in 1983
before he was forced out of office in 1985. He is a Sunni Muslim from
Nigeria's low-income North.
Buhari's office did not reply to request for comments about the watch
on Monday, local media reported. Nigerians debated whether it was
appropriate for Aisha Buhari to wear the watch in her official
portrait on social media this week.
@TeamTalkMuzik"Nice watch our first lady Mrs Aisha Buhari you deserves
the best as Nigerians first lady..May God guide & bless ur leadership
— charles (@billronaldo2000) June 2, 2015
Buhari's Wife and Her Very Expensive Wrist Watch. she should be
moderate in all ways. If she indeed wore a N10m wrist watch as First
Lady.
— self made channels (@selfmadechanne1) June 2, 2015
SHOCKING: "Poor" Nigeria First Lady Aisha Buhari Wears US$50,000
Watch to Inauguration | Nigeria... http://t.co /4h350ZeF1N
— chidinma onyejiuwa (@chidinma1999) June 1, 2015
—International Business Times
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