Women Affairs Minister Resigns Ahead of Governorship Bid

Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan (aka Mama Taraba) has resigned from President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet as she looks to contest for the position of Governor in Taraba in the 2019 election.

The President confimed the resignation in his acceptance of her notification through a letter conveyed to her dated July 27, 2018. He however stated his support for her bid would only come if she contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Alhassan was the candidate of the APC in the 2015 governorship election but lost to incumbent Governor Darius Ishaku.

Buhari said in the acceptance letter: “I have today received your letter notifying me of your intention to contest for the governorship of Taraba State in the 2019 election.

Let me thank you on behalf of the Federal Executive Council and Nigerians for your services as minister under this administration. I note with passion your past contribution to our great party APC during and after the 2015 elections.

As you are aware I am totally committed to free and fair elections. Our policy is to support all APC candidates. I wish you well in your ambition to be governor of your state. Rest assured that all security agencies as well as INEC will have my full support to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in 2019.”