Shake-up in FCTA as minister sacks Opeifa, Maina others

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mallam Mohammed Bello, has relieved some mandate secretaries (commissioners) of their duties.

The affected appointees had refused to heed to the warning of the administration to formerly resign before seeking political offices as 2019 general election draws near.

Daily Times recalls that the Administration in a press statement earlier, had warned all the mandate secretaries to resign before seeking to contest for political office.

Following the sudden shake up, the minister had issued disengagement letters to affected secretariats and ordered them to hand over to their successors today.

Senior Special Assistance to the FCT Minister on Finance and Economic Matters and former Commissioner for Finance, Niger State, Dr. Bala Liman, is taking over from Senator Isa Maina as Education Secretary; General Manager, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Aminu Mai, takes over from Barrister Amanda Pam as Health Secretary.

Pam had earlier indicated interest in politics, and made it known. She aspired for the office of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), chairman in 2015.

Director, Muslims Pilgrims Board, Bashir Mohammed, will take over the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) in place of Alhaji Ladi Alhassan who has since resigned to face his political ambition in Kwara State.

Also the hitherto Transportation Secretary, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, will be replaced by yet to be determined appointee.

However, Stanley Nzekwe, Secretary of Agric and Rural Development Secretariat, Abubakar Bappa of Area Councils Services Secretariat, and Umar Shuaibu of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC have not shown any political ambition; at press time it was not clear if they will be replaced too.