Aisha Alhassan:

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Aisha Alhasan, has alleged that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba had been neglected by the party’s leadership.

Alhasan made the allegation on Thursday in Abuja when she led some members of the party from Taraba on a visit to its National Secretariat, Abuja.

“I have come as a party member and a leader with my brothers from Taraba to air our problems; the APC people in Taraba are very worried.

“No opposition party performed as well as we did since 1999, but unfortunately, apart from my appointment which is statutory and constitutional, and the ambassadorial, we still do not have any meaningful appointment,’’ she said.

She added that the members who had worked for the party in the state expected their leaders to assist them in securing political appointments.

The minister said that APC in Taraba had capable and qualified persons that could help the Federal Government to drive its change agenda and the development of the country if appointed.

She described as “unfortunate’’ existing situation where members of the party and the state were not carried along in government appointments and projects.

“We have to take care of our people else we will not know our faith in next election. Even in Federal Government projects, they do not involve us.

“Taraba state APC should be remembered, this is our plea. If projects are sent to the state which is controlled by the PDP, our people are left hanging,’’ she said.

Alhassan, however, said that she was not afraid of the rumour going round that the party’s structure in the state would be hijacked by some people.

She expressed optimism that the party`s leadership would not encourage such act and implored other party members to remain resolute.

“I have at some point addressed a crowd in Taraba and I told them that the current governor is even welcomed to join the party.

“But if he comes, he will be an APC member like us,” she said.

The Deputy National Chairman (North) of the party, Sen. Lawal Shuaibu, who received the delegation, assured that the complaints would be addressed.

He said that the party was ready to accept new members but cautioned that such persons should respect the party’s structure always.

Shuaibu appealed to party members and Nigerians to continue to be patient with the Federal Government, adding that the government was striving hard to put smile on the faces of citizens.

Alhasan was APC governorship candidate in Taraba in the 2015 elections.

(NAN)