I’m still loyal to Buhari – Mama Taraba

Sen. Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs and Social
Development, declared on Wednesday that those criticising her
Sallah visit to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Yola, were
being “mischievous”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes commentators on social
media as alleging that Alhassan’s visit, during which she made
philosophical comments on the 2019 presidential contest, was a
tacit support for Abubakar’s presidential ambition.

They also alleged that it signified disloyalty to her current
boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, who may still be interested in
seeking a fresh mandate.

But Alhassan, in a telephone interview with NAN, said that her
Sallah homage to Abubakar did not amount to disloyalty to
Buhari.

She explained that Abubakar had remained her political mentor
over the years and was still a stalwart of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), adding that her loyalty to Buhari and his
administration, which she serves as a minister, was
“unshakable”.

The minister accused her “political detractors” of “amplifying
and misinterpreting” the visit so as to smear her image because
they were afraid of her growing political strength in Taraba.

“In a nation where politicians are quick to dump the people that
assisted them to get to where they are, for political expediency, I
have chosen to maintain a long standing family relationship with
Abubakar, as well as Buhari, who I consider as a father.

“Besides, neither Buhari nor Abubakar has officially told anyone
of an interest in seeking election in 2019,” she said.

Declaring that power comes from God, she said that if she loses
her job because of her visit, she would consider it as the will of
God.

She urged Nigerians to support the policies and programmes of
the Buhari administration because it was time for governance and
not yet time for politicking.

NAN recalls that criticisms have continued to trail the
minister’s pronouncements over the 2019 presidential contest during
a Sallah homage to Abubakar on Sept. 4, 2017, with many viewing it
as a campaign for Abubakar. (NAN)

Sen. Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs and Social
Development, declared on Wednesday that those criticising her
Sallah visit to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Yola, were
being “mischievous”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes commentators on social
media as alleging that Alhassan’s visit, during which she made
philosophical comments on the 2019 presidential contest, was a
tacit support for Abubakar’s presidential ambition.

They also alleged that it signified disloyalty to her current
boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, who may still be interested in
seeking a fresh mandate.

But Alhassan, in a telephone interview with NAN, said that her
Sallah homage to Abubakar did not amount to disloyalty to
Buhari.

She explained that Abubakar had remained her political mentor
over the years and was still a stalwart of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), adding that her loyalty to Buhari and his
administration, which she serves as a minister, was
“unshakable”.

The minister accused her “political detractors” of “amplifying
and misinterpreting” the visit so as to smear her image because
they were afraid of her growing political strength in Taraba.

“In a nation where politicians are quick to dump the people that
assisted them to get to where they are, for political expediency, I
have chosen to maintain a long standing family relationship with
Abubakar, as well as Buhari, who I consider as a father.

“Besides, neither Buhari nor Abubakar has officially told anyone
of an interest in seeking election in 2019,” she said.

Declaring that power comes from God, she said that if she loses
her job because of her visit, she would consider it as the will of
God.

She urged Nigerians to support the policies and programmes of
the Buhari administration because it was time for governance and
not yet time for politicking.

NAN recalls that criticisms have continued to trail the
minister’s pronouncements over the 2019 presidential contest during
a Sallah homage to Abubakar on Sept. 4, 2017, with many viewing it
as a campaign for Abubakar. (NAN)