A federal housing minister has defended his endorsement of a senatorial candidate for Kano governor against party reprimands, asserting his constitutional expression rights while emphasizing national security priorities. Abdullahi Atah told state party chairman Abdullahi Abbas, through a spokesman, that circulating disciplinary warnings to President Bola Tinubu during a declared security emergency creates needless distractions when leadership should focus on supporting the commander in chief.
The minister characterized his backing of Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau as a personal assessment rather than an official pronouncement, arguing the lawmaker represents the strongest option for the All Progressives Congress to reclaim the statehouse. Atah reaffirmed loyalty to both Tinubu and the party while rejecting accusations that public statements reflected attempts to appropriate leadership authority or foster internal discord.
The minister characterized his backing of Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau as a personal assessment rather than an official pronouncement, arguing the lawmaker represents the strongest option for the All Progressives Congress to reclaim the statehouse. Atah reaffirmed loyalty to both Tinubu and the party while rejecting accusations that public statements reflected attempts to appropriate leadership authority or foster internal discord.
