Adamawa State was reportedly thrown into confusion Friday after Governor Jibrilla
Bindow swore in Aliyu Tola, a man, as the Commissioner for Women
Affairs.
Mr. Tola was inaugurated alongside 20 other commissioners in the state.
Women
Affairs ministries at state and federal levels of government, are seen
as symbols of gender balance, and are traditionally headed by females.
The ministry handles issues affecting women.
Mr. Tola is the first male to head the ministry in Adamawa State.
The appointment has elicited reactions from women groups and politicians.
A female activist in the state, Rahima Bala, said she could not see the logic behind the governor’s decision.
“Actually
I see no wisdom in appointing male commissioner to oversee ministry of
women affairs. We will continue to educate him. The government is
already in confusion,” Mrs. Bala said.
Also commenting, a
supporter of the All Progressives Congress, Rifkatu Dantsoho, said she
saw the appointment of most of the commissioners as patronage by the
governor merely to compensate his cronies.
“It was just a payback
to those he considers as factors that helped him have the control of
the state. Well, four years is at corner, only time shall tell!” she
said.
Mrs. Dantsoho however called on the governor to rescind his
decision, saying, “I think it’s not too late to amend and rectify the
anomaly”.
She said the change people voted for should not be seen in
lopsided appointments that give women little or no role in governance,
warning that the decision may lead to protests on the streets.
Another
critic in the state, Muhammad Damare, blamed the state lawmakers for
screening some of the commissioners, saying the lawmakers had since
shown that merit and professionalism were not virtues worthy of
recognition in screening nominees.
Contacted, the chief Press
Secretary to the governor, Yohannna Mathias, cited a precedent, saying
Mr. Bindow was not the first governor to appoint a male commissioner for
women affairs.
“It’s a normal practice as it happened in Bauchi
and other states. He is to oversee ministry of women affairs and social
development. Those who are making noise are just making mockery and
being mischievous,” said the spokesman.
The controversy is the
latest for the north east state that has been in the spotlight lately
over questionable government decisions.
Mr. Bindow had earlier
triggered anger after he was reported as saying that the government will
spend N200 million for prayers against Boko Haram. He later denied the
reports.
In August, the State House Assembly also faced a barrage
of criticism following the lawmakers’ decision to clear the daughter of
a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Fatima Abubakar, and the son
of the state paramount traditional ruler, Lamido Adamawa, Muhammad
Barkindo-Mustapha, as commissioners in absentia.