I Won’t Succumb to Threats or Be Silenced by Kano APC, Says Atah
The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Atah, has fiercely rejected a warning issued to him by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, insisting he committed no wrongdoing by expressing his political views.
The controversy began when the APC Kano chapter, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, accused Minister Atah of acting as the party’s mouthpiece and making remarks—specifically referencing his endorsement of Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau for the 2027 governorship that could cause disaffection among members.
The party warned that continued behavior of this kind could lead to disciplinary action and copied the letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC national secretariat.
In a counter-statement released by his media aide, Seyi Olorunsola, on Saturday, Atah dismissed the warning, stating he would not be intimidated for expressing honest, patriotic opinions meant to strengthen the party.
He criticized the timing of the party’s letter, calling it an “unnecessary distraction” given the nation’s declared security emergency:
“The Honourable Minister views the decision to draft and circulate such a letter especially one copied to the president at a time when Nigeria faces a declared national security emergency, as an unnecessary distraction.”
Atah maintained that he has a constitutional right to express his views, stating he is “first and foremost a citizen of Nigeria with constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and opinion.”
He reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the party and to President Tinubu.
Regarding the controversial endorsement, the Minister clarified that his comments on Senator Barau Jibrin’s suitability for the 2027 governorship were “personal and patriotic assessments, not official party declarations.”
He stood by his assessment, describing Senator Barau as the most viable and unifying choice for the APC to reclaim Kano in 2027, based on his own long-term engagement with grassroots politics.
“If offering a sincere, well-reasoned and patriotic opinion on the future of the party ahead of the 2027 elections is what the writers consider wrongdoing, then the minister stands guilty as charged, guilty only of loving his party enough to speak truthfully,” the statement concluded.
