Despite the speculation that the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan and the governor of Adamawa State, Jibrilla Bindow, will dump APC to join former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, they yesterday met President Muhammadu Buhari separately and  pledged their allegiance to him. 

Their benefactor, Atiku, resigned from the  ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recently and is said to be poised to join the opposition PDP.

Though Mrs. Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba declined comment on Atiku’s defection from the APC when approached by reporters, the Adamawa governor said he would not quit the ruling party.

Credible sources in the APC said the minister had assured Buhari of her absolute loyalty.

The minister met Buhari after she, alongside other cabinet members, attended the launch of the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.

The sources told Daily Trust last night, that the minister had opted to remain with President Buhari and APC, despite her benefactor Atiku Abubakar defection.  

One of the sources said the minister, in what could be seen as a twist, had assured President Buhari of her loyalty and support beyond 2019.

But one of our source, a top official of the ruling APC, said, “She pledged her loyalty to the president (Buhari) and that she would not follow Atiku back to the PDP.”

Efforts to reach the minister proved ‎abortive last night as she was not picking her calls.

She did not also respond to text messages sent to her phone. However, the Taraba State APC Chairman, Alhaji Sani Chul, told Daily Trust last night that the minister would not follow Atiku. 

Another source who also craved for anonymity, said the minister’s new disposition was not a surprise.

“We are really happy with her decision, it is clear that she has seen some changes in the areas she complaint about in recent past if there are any. Yes, there were issues in APC like in any other party but clearly we are better.

“And most importantly, it is the minister that should be congratulated because by her action, she has extended the lifespan of her political career; she would have a lot to gain in the APC than in PDP.

“Following Atiku to PDP or whatever party would be a suicide mission for her; Atiku had globe trotted from one party to another, all in a bid to become president and Nigerians would not gamble with their future.

“Power belongs to God and you can’t get it by force; he too should have persevered in the APC to see what God has in stock for him; we earnestly congratulate Mama Taraba for making a tough but wise decision to remain in APC,” he said.