Adamawa State was thrown into confusion Friday after Governor Jibrilla Bindow swore in Aliyu Tola, a man, as the Commissioner for Women Affairs.
Mr. Tola was inaugurated alongside 20 other commissioners in the state.
Women Affairs ministries at state and federal levels of government, are seen as symbols of gender balance, and are traditionally headed by females. The ministry handles issues affecting women. Mr. Tola is the first male to head the ministry in Adamawa State.
The chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yohannna Mathias, cited a precedent, saying Mr. Bindow was not the first governor to appoint a male commissioner for women affairs.
“It’s a normal practice as it happened in Bauchi and other states. He is to oversee ministry of women affairs and social development. Those who are making noise are just making mockery and being mischievous,” said the spokesman.
The controversy is the latest for the north east state that has been in the spotlight lately over questionable government decisions.
Mr. Bindow had earlier triggered anger after he was reported as saying that the government will spend N200 million for prayers against Boko Haram. He later denied the reports.
In August, the State House Assembly also faced a barrage of criticism following the lawmakers’ decision to clear the daughter of a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Fatima Abubakar, and the son of the state paramount traditional ruler, Lamido Adamawa, Muhammad Barkindo-Mustapha, as commissioners in absentia.
