Dame Patience vs. Aisha Buhari: Who exudes more Poise?

The position of the first lady is a phenomenon in the public space that is not exclusive to Nigeria. But like everything Nigeria, it has assumed its own hue. Colourful and brilliant or gaudy and repulsive, depending on which side of the divide you are on; first ladies have become a permanent fixture of Nigerian governance.

The office of the first lady even though does not exist in the Nigerian constitution signifies the ‘Mother of the Nation’ and some past first ladies of the country have carried the position with poise and prestige. Some have used it to better lives of citizens in various capacities.
This week’s Brand Spark is comparing the most recent ex-first lady, Patience Jonathan aka Mama Peace and the new first lady of the nation, Aisha Buhari to see who has more finesse, poise, prestige and better public profile/appeal.
However, only little has been seen of the latter but definitely, there are still grounds for comparison.
Mrs. Patience Jonathan
She can easily pass as one of the most popular first ladies the country has ever had. She is easily an extrovert, a fiery and very vocal supporter of her husband.
Mrs. Aisha Buhari
Little was known about her until during the heat of the electioneering campaign that brought her husband to power. She assumes a relatively calm personality in stark contrast to her predecessor.
Their Comparisons:

• ORIGIN: Dame P. was born on 25 October, 1957 in Port Harcourt Mrs. Aisha Buhari was born on the 17th of February 1971, she hails from Adamawa state from the family of the first Minister of defense, Hon. Mohammadu Ribadu.
• EDUCATION: Mama Peace studied Biology and Psychology at the University of Port Harcourt Aisha earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University and a post-graduate diploma in Cosmetology and Beauty from Academy Esthetique Beauty Institute of France.
• CAREER: Aisha Buhari has built a career for herself in Beauty and Aesthetics the famous Diaris God Crooner, Dame P., started out as a teacher then went into banking and later back as a teacher, she went on to become a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
• MOTHER OF DRAMA: Mama Peace was an embodiment of drama as she reeks out laughable performances week after week. She has always been the butt of many jokes and comedy skits. Her video on the kidnapped Chibok girls in 2014 went viral and was recently ranked by Google as the most viewed Youtube video in Nigeria Aisha could be said to be calm and collected as much as not really been seen or known about her in public space.
• ORATORY PROWESS: While Aisha Buhari has been said to have a good command of the English language, Patience is perhaps mostly famous for her command of English and theatrical expressions during her public speeches.
• FASHION STYLE: Another good comparison is their dress sense: Her sense of style and fashion have always been called into question when she appears in public sometimes with funny and bogus attires Aisha being a beauty expert herself has been said to have a good sense of style and fashion, appearing in public well-dressed with a calm and candour. Recall several viral pics of Mama P with three sunglasses? Lol!
• HUSBAND SUPPORT: Little was known about Mrs. Buhari until some months into her husband’s election campaigns Mama Patience has very strong support for her husband and will literally take bullets for him.
• POLITICAL INFLUENCE: Aunty Payshie is said to wield a very strong influence in the political space during her husband’s reign as the president of the country, much is yet to be seen of Mrs. Aisha Buhari as a person in position of leadership and only time will tell of her leadership qualities.
• CONTROVERSIES: The former first lady is always mired in one controversy or another for the most time of her reign as the first lady of Nigeria the new first lady made her own gaffe when she reportedly made a controversial statement about Edo women during her husband’s campaign trail to Edo state. Only time will tell who will get to be more controversial.
• INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION: Mama Peace received the “Beyond The Tears” International Humanitarian Award New York, USA, in 2008, for her role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS; the African Goodwill Ambassador Award (Los Angeles, USA, 2008) and the recipient of the “Wind of Change” Award from the South/South Women’s Organization Mrs. Buhari is a board member of International human right with their head office in United Kingdom. Also she is an alumnus of the famous Carlton Institute of London and currently a graduate student of International Affairs and Strategic Planning.

Having seen these comparisons, who is your pick from both?