Buhari's Minister declares support for Atiku in 2019 election

Aisha Alhassan, the Minister of Women Affairs has declared support for Atiku Abubakar in 2019 presidential election

The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, made her declaration when she led a private visit to Atiku Abubakar, a chieftain of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress.


In a clip which has since gone viral online, Aisha Alhassan said in Hausa language: “Your excellency, our father and our president by the grace of God, come 2019"

Read the full translation of her speech below.

“Your excellency, our father and our president by the grace of God come 2019. Before you are your people, your supporters for life, the people of Taraba State. They are here to show our homage and to greet you on the occasion of Sallah and for all that Allah has done to you because Allah has raised your status.

“We heard that they are coming to extend their greetings, so we said we have to be part of this and we all come to you. Chairman (Did not mention which chairman), of the party, come out chairman; he is our leader, because he is the chairman of the party, I was only made leader of the delegation.

“Here are some of the party officials (pointing at them while sitting). Everybody here is asking to be allowed to say something but I said no Baba should be left alone you are tired….”

While the minister was saying this, Mr. Abubakar sat listening.

Although Mr. Abubakar has not publicly declared his intention to run in 2019, he is believed to be mobilising and getting ready for the election.

He came third in the APC presidential primaries in the build up to the 2015 elections, losing to President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.