I have made no new appointments — FCT Minister of State

By Precious Mark

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has distanced herself from reports circulating on appointments allegedly made on her behalf.

She declared that the claims are false and unauthorised.

In a statement by Austine Elemue, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State, she clarified that Mr. Austine Elemue remains the only officially recognised and duly appointed media aide to the Minister of State and the only person authorised to issue media statements and official communications on her behalf, except where expressly directed otherwise.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Austine Elemue remains the only officially recognized and duly appointed Media Aide to the Honourable Minister of State, FCT, and the only person authorized to issue media statements and official communications on behalf of the Minister, except where otherwise expressly directed,” the statement read.

The office also dismissed claims linking Mr. Bin Usman Rano to the minister’s office, stressing that he is not an aide attached to the Office of the Minister of State.

“The public is hereby informed that Mr. Bin Usman Rano is not an aide attached to the Office of the Honourable Minister of State, FCT. Rather, his activities are understood to be connected with the Dr. Mariya Support Group,” the statement said.

According to the disclaimer, the support group was established to mobilise support among women and youths for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the second-term bid of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It added that any appointments, designations, announcements or authorisations issued by Rano relate solely to the affairs of the support group and have no connection with the Office of the Minister of State or the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

“Members of the public, media organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders are advised to disregard any claim, appointment letter, or communication that seeks to create the impression that such appointments emanated from the Office of the Honourable Minister of State, FCT,” the statement added.