…Says if Buhari decides to contest in 2019, I’ll still support Atiku
…as other cabinet members kick
A video of Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan (popularly called Mama Taraba) endorsing former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 presidential race has gone viral.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Alhassan, who led a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) team from Taraba State to Atiku later told the BBC Hausa Service categorically that she would dump President Muhammadu Buhari under whom she is recently serving as minister for Atiku should Buhari show interest in contesting the 2019 presidential elections.
Alhassan who spoke in native Hausa language in the video told Atiku: “Mr President, our father, Nigeria’s president for 2019, God willing, in your presence today are your people who have been placed under your care for forever.”
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Alhassan’s statement has since sparked reactions amongst other cabinet members who saw Alhassan guts as an act of disloyalty to her present leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the matter, a minister said: “Some of us called her when the video went viral and she confirmed the comments attributed to her.
“To me, I think it is like passing a vote of no confidence on your boss. I think it is untidy to write off your boss as incompetent to continue in office.”
Another source in the cabinet said: “I am not surprised; it is typical of the Minister of Women Affairs. But the ideal thing is to leave and pursue your career. This development might affect our unity in the cabinet. Some will certainly not trust her again.”
Another minister said: “She shocked me because I used to think she is closer to the President. What you cannot dispute is that the President has never hidden his respect for her. She was away from the cabinet for months when she was ill and the President tolerated her absence. She should have chosen a different approach to it because one good turn deserves another.”
A government official said he suspected “a script”. It might not be only her. Maybe she is flying a kite,” he said, pleading not to be named.
Also, an APC stalwart, who also spoke in confidence, said: “I think she is kick-starting 2019 politics. I could see cracks in the coalition which formed the APC.”
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the presidency has not issued any official statement concerning the clip.
However, a source in the Presidency said: “The President has just come back from Daura and he is just settling down. Actually, there is nothing to say.
“The Minister of Women Affairs has confirmed to BBC that she made the comments. What else do you want the presidency to say?”
In an interview with the BBC, the minister said: “Atiku is my godfather even before I joined politics.” She spoke in Hausa. “And again, Baba Buhari did not tell us that he is going to run in 2019.
“Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel down and tell him that ‘Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister but Baba just like you know I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather. If Atiku said he is going to contest.”
“If because of what I said I am sacked, it will not bother me because I believe in Allah that my time has elapsed, that is why…
“Baba is not a mad man like those calling for my sack. They have been sending it and spreading that if Baba sees this I will be sacked.”