After Declaring Support For Atiku, Minister Alhassan “Focus Of Attention” As Buhari Chairs FEC Meeting

Thenation says “The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, was the cynosure of all eyes at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

Alhassan had last week told the BBC Hausa Service that she would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if the latter declares his intention to vie for the presidency in 2019.

She had maintained that she would not support President Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to run for presidential elections in 2019.

The newspaper reports further ‘’The minister, who arrived few minutes to the commencement of the meeting, went round the hall to exchange pleasantries with some of her colleagues who were already seated in the chamber.

Photo journalists had a field day taking her shots as she moved round the hall.

Before entering the Council Chamber, she went to greet the Minister of Mines and Steel, Kayode Fayemi, who was standing with the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and the Permanent Secretary, Jalil Arabi.

When Alhassan entered the chamber, she moved to other side of the hall and exchanged pleasantries with her colleagues, probably because many of the seats on her side of the hall were still empty.

Among those she greeted were the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

The nation also disclosed ‘’ Others were the Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Habibat Lawal, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma and Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.

She then turned back and headed to her seat.

Alhassan later stood up and approached Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s seat and had a brief chat with him.

She later returned to her seat and continued to chat with the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, who sat beside her.

The meeting started when President Muhammadu Buhari entered the Council Chamber at 11:00 a.m.”