Aisha Alhassan, minister of women affairs, has expressed her interest to contest the Taraba state governorship election in 2019.
In a letter to notify President Muhammadu Buhari of her ambition, the minister said she would be running under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The minister is an ally of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who is one of the presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhassan once described Abubakar as her political godfather and choose him over Buhari for 2019 race.
In his response to her letter dated July 27, Buhari thanked her for her efforts.
“Let me thank you on behalf of the federal executive council and Nigerians for your services as minister under this administration,” Buhari said in the letter.
“I note with passion your past contributions to APC during and after the 2015 elections.”
Buhari said although his administration’s policy is to support all APC candidates, he is “totally committed to a free and fair elections” in the country.
“I wish you well in your ambition to be governor of your state. Rest assured that all the security agencies as well as INEC will have my support to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in 2019,” the president added.