…She’s free to hold a contrary opinion-Momoh
A barrage of reactions has trailed the minister of women affairs and social development, Mrs. Aisha Alhassan over her unabashed resolve to support the former vice president, Mr. Atiku Abubakar in his 2019 presidential ambition.
Alhassan had, in a leaked video led a delegation of some Taraba State members of the party to pay Sallah homage to Abubakar in Yola, Adamawa State where she pledged her unalloyed support for him in 2019.
In a separate interview with the BBC Hausa Service, the minister did not mince words when she declared support the former vice president even if President Muhammadu Buhari would choose to run in 2019.
In his reaction, the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay expressed surprised that President Buhari had not kicked her out.
The Nation quotes Sagay as saying that the minister’s statement painted the picture of Buhari’s administration as a weak government.
Sagay said Alhassan’s continued stay hours after making the statement is disrupting the activities of government.
“She should not be part of the government anymore. I’m surprised that 24 hours after she made the statement she is still in this government. She should have been sacked immediately.
“Her presence now is disrupting the activities of this government and will give the picture of the Buhari government as being a weak government that cannot protect its own interests.
“The woman should have been shown the way out one minute after making the statement. I’m embarrassed that no action has been taken on her so far”, he said.
The deputy national chairman of the APC, Mr. Segun Oni, expressed surprise that the minister ever made those comment.
Speaking at Makurdi Airport, Oni declared: “I am surprised that it happened in the first instance, but that is for the President and the party to talk about it at the appropriate time.”
For Mr. Shehu Sani, APC senator representing Kaduna Central, the minister should take a walk if she is wants to serve Abubakar.
“The difference between that woman who made the statement as a minister and others is that she was open and others are still having it in their minds.
“If she is prepared to work for the former vice-president, she can easily excuse herself from this government and concentrate on what she believes in for 2019,” he said.
While a chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba said the minister is “unfair” he however maintained that she has the right to make a choice.
“She has a right to her choice but I think she is not being fair. If she wants to make such public statement as a serving minister, she should resign her appointment.”
Aganaba, who expressed confidence in Buhari’s administration, however, urged the president to bring into his cabinet “capable hands” who understand the ideal of the change mantra which the party stands for.
“So, I don’t think for now that the APC has any other choice than to re-elect President Buhari, though people are free to contest; nobody is stopping them. This is APC where we usually have free and fair primaries. The last presidential primaries in Lagos, President Buhari won more than half of the votes.
However, another chieftain of the party and former minister of information, Mr. Tony Momoh, said the minister did nothing wrong by exercising her freedom of expression.
“Those who are saying her statement is an act of disloyalty are wrong. We are in a democratic government and not a dictatorial one. People should be free to air their opinions without fear.
“As far as I am concerned, there is nothing wrong in what she said. She said Atiku is her godfather and she will support him in 2019 if he decides to contest. What is wrong in that?” said Momoh.