President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that his wife, Aisha,  belongs in the kitchen, and should stay out of politics.

The president had earlier on his visit to Germany, during a joint press conference with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said that his wife “belongs to my kitchen and my living room, and the other room.”

However, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, explained later that the President was merely being humourous, describing Buhari’s comments as “throwing banters”.

But in an interview with German broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, anchor Phil Gayle asked the President to clarify his comments and Buhari replied: “I am sure you have a house. You know where your kitchen is. You know where your living room is. And I believe your wife looks after all that even if she’s working.”

The president’s comment counters the previous explanation by his media aide, Garba Shehu, who tried to play down the remarks.

Asked if that was his wife’s function, President Buhari said: “Yes, to look after me” and when asked if his wife should desist from talking about politics, the president replied “I think so.”

The president’s comments had elicited strong criticism from all quarters, with many arguing that it demeans the role of women in national development.

The President’s wife, Aisha, had in an interview with BBC, inferred that Buhari was not totally in charge of his government as there were many persons in his cabinet that he barely knows.

She also said if things continue that way, she may not support her husband should he decide to seek re-election come 2019.