The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, has notified President Muhammadu Buhari of her plans to join the race for the Taraba State governorship next year.
The minister, who informed the president of her intention in a letter dated July 27, said she would vie for the governorship under the platform of the APC.
There were suggestions that the minister, who is popularly called Mama Taraba, would follow ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar to the PDP.
The permission she sought from Buhari had laid to rest her planned defection.
President Buhari had already responded to Mama Taraba’s request saying he was committed to free and fair election.
The letter seen by the Daily Trust titled ‘Re- Request for permission to contest for the governorship of Taraba State in the 2019 general elections under our great party, the APC,’ President Buhari said, “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 contributions to our great party APC during and after the 2015 general 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 the security agencies as well as INEC will have my support to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in 2019.”
It is not clear when the minister would finally resign. She had contested for the governorship in 2015 and challenged Governor Darius Ishaku up to the Appeal Court.
