Minister Atah counters Kano APC warning, reaffirms support for Barau, urges leaders to shun division

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Atah, has responded to a formal warning issued to him by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, saying his recent statements were made within his democratic rights and not intended to cause friction within the party.

PlatinumPost reports that the caution letter, signed by Kano APC chairman Abdullahi Abbas, accused Atah of “acting as mouthpiece of the party” and making remarks capable of “causing disaffection” among members.

“The party observed that you are in the habit of making such uncomplimentary and derogatory public pronouncement and therefore have no alternative than to warn you to restrain from such behavior, failure in which the party may be compelled to take further disciplinary action against you,” part of the letter reads.

But in a statement issued Friday by his aide, Seyi Olorunsola, the minister said he would normally have ignored the letter, considering it one of the many internal debates that often accompany democratic processes.

He said: “However, for the purpose of clarity, public education, and the need to restate his unwavering loyalty to the party and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, it has become necessary to issue this formal response.
” The Minister’s Right to Hold and Express an Opinion . Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Atah wishes to reaffirm that, beyond being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a proud, non-executive member of the APC in Kano State, he is first and foremost a citizen of Nigeria with constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and opinion. His loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC is unquestionable and has been demonstrated consistently through years of service, sacrifice, and commitment to party ideals.

“Therefore, any suggestion that his recent public comments amount to ‘disaffection’ or an attempt to arrogate party leadership to himself is not only unfounded but reflects a narrow and erroneous understanding of democratic rights and internal party dynamics. If offering a sincere, well-reasoned, and patriotic opinion on the future direction of the party ahead of the 2027 elections is what the writers of the letter consider a wrongdoing, then the Minister stands ‘guilty as charged’—guilty only of loving his party enough to speak truthfully and strategically at a crucial moment.”

Atah also addressed concerns around his recent endorsement of Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau’s 2027 governorship ambition, which party members said prompted the warning.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Minister reiterates that his recent comments on the suitability of the Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibrin, as the most viable gubernatorial candidate for the APC in 2027, were personal and patriotic assessments—not official party declarations.”As the number five citizen of the country, a proud son of Kano, and a political figure whose acceptability cuts across senatorial districts, local government areas, and ethnic nationalities, Senator Barau represents, in the Minister’s view, the strongest and most unifying choice for the APC to reclaim Government House Kano in the next electoral cycle.

“This assessment is based on sound political foresight and decades of engagement with the grassroots. Rather than being vilified for offering such insight, the Minister believes party leaders should welcome strategic thinking that positions the APC for victory long before formal nomination processes begin. His comments were never intended to usurp the powers of party organs; rather, they were reflections of democratic analysis—open to debate, disagreement, or acceptance by party members,” the statement said.

The minister noted that he has a long history of making strategic political projections ahead of elections in Kano.

“The Honourable Minister also finds it necessary to remind the public that this is not the first time he has expressed early, strategic opinions on electoral direction in Kano.”As far back as the ANPP era, when Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau entered the race for the 2003 gubernatorial election, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Atah, went on radio to articulate why Shekarau was best positioned to defeat the incumbent. The analysis proved correct, and Shekarau emerged victorious.”Again, in 2015, at the end of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s second term, when debates raged over who should succeed him, Rt. Hon. Atah boldly stated—again on public radio—that Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was the strongest choice for the APC. History vindicated this position. Dr. Ganduje won and went on to serve two successful terms.

“These precedents illustrate not a desire for personal influence but a proven record of political judgment rooted in deep understanding of the Kano electorate. His recent statements should therefore be seen as a continuation of this tradition—not an imposition of opinion, and certainly not a cause for rancour within the party. Democracy thrives on plurality of ideas, not attempts to cage members into uniformity of thought,”  the statement said.

He also cautioned against dragging internal party matters into the national spotlight at a time when the country is grappling with urgent security concerns.

“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 and avoidable distraction.

“With the President suspending his international engagements, including the G-20 Summit in South Africa and a planned AU meeting in Angola, in order to attend to urgent state security matters, the priority of every patriotic leader should be unity, focus, and unwavering support for the Commander-in-Chief.”To elevate an internal party opinion into a matter deemed worthy of presidential attention at such a critical time sends the wrong signal about the priorities of certain party actors,” the statement said.

The minister further questioned the absence of key national figures at the Kano APC stakeholders’ meeting that produced the caution letter.

“It is also important to note that the two most prominent political figures from Kano currently serving at the national level—the Deputy Senate President and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development—were conspicuously absent from the stakeholders’ meeting. This absence raises legitimate questions about the motivations behind the meeting and whether it truly represented the collective leadership of the party.

“The Minister urges party leaders in Kano to approach issues with the utmost caution, maturity, and strategic foresight. The APC must remain united, focused, and forward-looking if it intends to reclaim the governorship of Kano State in 2027 and deliver an overwhelming vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid.”Efforts should be directed toward strengthening party structures, engaging the grassroots, and articulating policies that resonate with the people—not toward internal scuffles that weaken the collective resolve.

“Rt. Hon. Atah calls on all party members, supporters, and the general public to rally behind President Tinubu at this critical time. What the nation needs now is stability, collaboration, and undistracted leadership to protect Nigerians from bandits, terrorists, and all threats to national peace. Politics has its season; security of lives and unity of the nation must always come first.

“The Minister remains committed to the APC, to the President, and to the peace and progress of Kano State. His intention has never been to speak for the party but to speak as a loyal member whose democratic right to an opinion is protected by the constitution and guided by love for the state and the party,” the statement added.