“Baba Is Not Mad Like Them” Mama Taraba Fires At Critics

Minister of Women Affairs and governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Taraba State, Aisha Alhassan has hit back at critics calling for her resignation.

Speaking with The BBC Hausa Service, Alhassan said Buhari will not decide to ax her from his cabinet for supporting Atiku in 2019, “except if I commit an offense”.

A video surfaced online, Wednesday, showing Alhassan during a visit to the former vice president, calling him “Mr. President” and pledging support for Atiku in 2019.

Alhassan has come under attack from many Nigerians who are calling for her resignation.

Some believe she should have voluntarily resigned before making such statements in public.

Alhassan defended herself by saying Atiku in her godfather in politics and if he and Buhari threw their hats in the ring in 2019, she will resign and support the former.

Atiku lost to Buhari in the primaries in his party, after cross-carpeting from the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He signed a memorandum of understanding, along with the other aspirants at the time, forcing them from decamping from the party.

Atiku recently told VOA Hausa service that he has been sidelined from the government he helped to win elections in 2015.

“Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved.

“But sadly, soon after the formation of the government; I was sidelined, I have no any relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they’re but three years down the lane, this is where we are,” Atiku said.

Alhassan is not the only well-known Atiku loyalist in Buhari’s camp. His Special Adviser on Media, Garba Shehu worked for many years for Atiku. It is left to be seen, which side he will be on in 2019.