- Those Condemning Her Are Wrong, Says APC Chieftain, Tony Momoh
Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan on Thursday, reaffirmed her support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari is not a naïve politician to take any decision he deems necessary concerning her.
“I have not seen the president but I don’t think the president is a naive person.”
She also said she will not have any remorse even if President Buhari relieves her of her job in his cabinet.
She said this amidst criticisms trailing her comments on social media, saying she bared her mind fully in the interview with the BBC Hausa service and anyone interested should consult the media platform and get her position.
Alhassan, a frontline female politician from Taraba State, was captured in a video during an interview with BBC Hausa as saying she would support Atiku even if President Muhammadu Buhari decides to re-contest the 2019 election.
She was spotted at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, when she came to see the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, apparently on the same issue surrounding her comments.
It was not clear whether she was invited by the presidency or she came on her own volition.
When State House correspondents engaged her in discussions she appeared calm and calculated without any remorse whatsoever.
Meanwhile, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) on Thursday said he is surprised that President Muhammadu Buhari has not taken any action against Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs, over her statement that she will quit the cabinet should the president decide to seek re-election.
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) said the minister’s statement painted the picture of the Buhari administration as being 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”, he said.
“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.
However, a former Minister of Information, Tony Momoh, said the minister did nothing wrong by exercising her freedom of expression.
According to Momoh, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), “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?” Momoh asked.
