By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – Nigeria's women affairs minister has resigned from office, two days after the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) nixed her bid to seek the governorship in her northeastern Taraba state, questioning her loyalty.
Aisha Al-Hassan officially communicated her resignation to the president, said Suleiman Dantosho, her media aide, on Saturday.
The APC’s screening committee refused to clear Al-Hassan for the governorship contest, with APC Chairman Adams Oshiomhole telling reporters that she “doesn't possess the level of loyalty required” to carry the party banner.
Al-Hassan had been on the radar of APC hawks ever since she openly expressed support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's ambition to challenge the incumbent president. But the president had resisted pressure from the party to sack her.
In her leaked resignation letter, she called the APC’s action “a gross injustice” and a vote of no confidence in her being a minister, insisting she has been a loyal party member since the APC was formed in 2014.
Anadolu Agency has confirmed the authenticity of the leaked letter.
Taraba governorship elections are set for next February, two weeks after the country's Feb. 15 general elections.
