Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has denied claims of an alleged refusal to relinquish her official cars after her exit as a Minister.
The immediate past Junior Minister cleared the air in a statement issued on Thursday, following a post by some online news platforms.
Dr Aliyu, describing the allegations as unfounded and mischievous misadventure, stated that the official cars had since been parked since she left office.
Further investigations by our reporter showed a video of the said cars parked at the official residence of the former Minister in LifeCamp, Abuja.
The statement captioned “Re: Former FCT Minister Of State Refuses To Give Up Official Car, ” reads in part:
“My attention has been drawn to an online publication made on 22nd of June, 2023 with the above caption claiming that I failed to relinquish my official vehicle after exiting office. Apparently authored by one Toyin Adebayo, it further claimed that the accommodation challenge some FCT pilgrims faced a couple of days ago while on Hajj Pilgrimage in the Holy Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was occasioned by my purported hijacking of the FCT slots. It then went on to allege that two of my aides failed to vacate their offices even after my exit.
“Ordinarily I would have concentrated on my Hajj devotion out here in the Holy Land, but for the benefit of all unassuming and fair-minded readers I have decided to set the records straight. All official vehicles used by me during my tenure were relinquished upon my exit as a Minister and in line with standard procedure. ”
Reacting to further claims of hijacking slots meant for FCT Pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj, Dr Aliyu said, “Secondly, the allegations of hijack of FCT pilgrims slots is baseless because the official procedure adopted by organs responsible for Pilgrimage affairs is not conducive to it. Our preparations and ratings in the FCT Pilgrims Board while I was in office received positive acclaim and commendations in the preceding years. After my departure from office my influence on the operations and its success is limited.
“Even then I had to go out of my way to insist a better accommodation be provided when I became aware of the challenge faced by some of the Pilgrims.”
Contrary to the allegation, a pilgrim had earlier gone on Instagram to thank the former minister for coming to their aid when they cried for help.
The Pilgrim with Instagram handle @mzzluluali wrote: “Alhamdulillah Remember my 1st clip that went rival ?? I mentioned if only our mommy was here nothing like wat happened could have ever happened
“We cried and she answered even wen she has left office @drramatualiyu thank you so much mummy ur competence Is out of this world.
“U ARE NOW A FORMEE FCT MIN OF STATE, BUT YET U STOOD UP FOR US THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP TO ENSURE AN ALTERNATIVE AND BEFITTING ACCOMMODATION IS PROVIDED FOR FCT PILGRIMS. THANK YOU @nahcon_ng FOR ENSURING COMPLIANCE. THANKS FCTA FOR QUALITY SERVICE DELIVERY. PLEASE MAINTAIN THE STANDARD!”
On the claims that her aides were still occupying office, the former Minister stated:
“Lastly, I wish to state categorically that I do not have any aides still in the FCTA. The letter of appointment issued by the FCTA to Special Assistant on Special Investment Programme (SIP) has termination date in August 2023., while the Special Assistant on Climate Change is in fact a staff of FCTA who I engaged from within the system as a cost cutting measure while in office. Both are employees of the FCTA, not mine.
“I am therefore at a loss as to what could have motivated the author and her co-travelers to embark on this unfounded and mischievous misadventure.
She, therefore, demanded that the perpetrators retract such falsehood and tender an open apology, or face legal action.
“Nonetheless, I must first extend an invitation to the author and her sponsors to retract this piece of defamation and tender their open and unreserved apology to me and my family through the medium you spread this malicious propaganda, or they will have to accept the invitation to stand before the law, ” she warned.
