A Bauchi based political group, APC Initiative for Good Governance has accused the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq of diverting social welfare program meant for the entire country to Bauchi State to execute spouses gubernatorial ambition
Though from Zamfara state, Umar Farouq is married to the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Abubakar Sadique (rtd) who is contesting 2023 governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group also accused her of abandoning her office and relocating to Bauchi to push for the political interest of her husband, Abubakar Sadique
The group therefore expressed deep concern in a statement they made available to journalists on Tuesday, saying that the action of the Minister was causing confusion in the party, especially her social programmes.
The statement which was signed by the group’s Co-ordinator in Bauchi State, Nasiru Cigari urged the Minister to stay clear of Bauchi politics and concentrate on her ministerial functions.
It particularly, urged her to ensure even distribution of social programmes to other parts of the country, instead of select group of people in Bauchi which has been heating the polity.
“The fact remains, that Sadiya has abandoned her responsibilities of spearheading the Humanitarian and disaster crises bedeviling our country while also diverting social programs meant for the benefit of the whole country to Bauchi state all in the name of influencing her husband’s gubernatorial ambition.
“Consequently, we will not relent in following all steps within the ambiance of the law to resist her desperate agenda.”
Though, APC is an opposition party in Bauchi, the group warned that poke nosing into Bauchi politics by the Minister was injurious, hence, she should stop interfering in the issues of politics which did not concern her in whatsoever.
Hence they advised her to watch political issues in the State from afar.
“It is no longer news that the ticket of APC House of Representatives of Bauchi Federal constituency is vacant, following the withdrawal of its standard bearer, Hon Shehu Aliyu Musa who was nominated to serve as the running mate of Bauchi state APC gubernatorial candidate, Ambassador Baba Sadique Abubakar from Giade LGA of Bauchi North Senatorial zone of the state”.
According to the group, “This development necessitated the party to call for a new nomination to fill the vacant position.
“However, recent moves and scheming to impose the current member, (who was earlier rejected by his constituents, whose membership of the party is in question) by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs who also doubles as Wife of the Governorship candidate stands condemned by all voices of reason”.
“To set the records straight, the Minister has no stake in the politics of Bauchi state and Bauchi LGA by extension. If she has any moral obligations to do so, then that should be in Shira/Giade Federal Constituency (the adopted constituency of her husband)”, the group further stressed.