Confusion in Adamawa as governor appoints man to head Women Affairs ministry

Lol,meet the new head of women affairs in Adamawa.

The State was 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.