Nigeria’s first family has disowned mock-up pre-wedding photographs of their daughter, Zahra Buhari, and her fiancé, Ahmed Indimi, trending in the media.
In a statement by Special Assistant on Media to the wife of the President, Adebisi Olumide-Ajayi, the family described the photographs as untrue and embarrassing to them.
Olumide-Ajayi said the family would want the forthcoming marriage to remain a private affair.
She also promised that official photographs of the wedding would be released at the appropriate time.
The statement reads: “It has come to the notice of the Buhari family, that certain photographs are making the rounds both on social and conventional media claiming to be pre-wedding photographs of Zahra Buhari and Mohammed Indimi.
“Not only are these photographs untrue, but they are also a source of embarrassment to the couple.
“The couple would like to express that as much as they appreciate public interest and well wishes in their forthcoming marriage, they would at this particular point appreciate the public’s respect of their decision to make it a private affair.
“Official photographs would be released at the appropriate time.”
The wedding of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, which was earlier reported to take place on December 2, has been the subject of controversy.
It was allegedly postponed as a result of President Buhari’s insistence on a low-key ceremony for the 21-year-old bride to be.
The President and his wife, Aisha Buhari, were said to be uncomfortable with the attention the media was giving to the event, especially reports that the groom’s family presented 30 Louis Vuitton bags to Zahra.
It was widely reported that the groom, son of billionaire oil baron, Mohammed Indimi, presented bags worth about £120,000 (N47,144,502), to the bride ahead of the wedding.
An introduction ceremony between both families held at the Aso Villa, Abuja on Friday, November 18, reportedly ended in acrimony as one of the groom’s sisters allegedly fought an Aso Rock protocol official.
Ahmed Indimi is the marketing director of Oriental Energy Resources.
The wedding comes weeks after Zahra’s half sister, Fatima, got married to former Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Gimba Kumo.
Ahmed’s sister, Rahama, is married to Mohammed, first son of former military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
