Barring any last-minute changes, Hadiza Bala-Usman, a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) is set to emerge as the next minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Bala-Usman, 47, served as the Deputy Director-General of the Administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council before the 2023 general elections.
Sources in the ruling party told News.ng that she had been pencilled down to be the next FCT minister by the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
One of the sources who also served in the APC Presidential Campaign Council but chose to be anonymous said:
“I have it on good authority that Hadiza Bala-Usman is the next FCT minister. Her appointment is a reward for her excellent work rate during the campaign.
“The president-elect is also very keen on bringing so many women into his cabinet; she has been identified as one person who is not just a woman, but someone who will bring value to the incoming administration.
“Don’t forget that she was eased out of the NPA because of her no-nonsense approach to issues. This portfolio will no doubt show Nigerians that she has the capacity to deliver.”
Another source who confirmed the story said:
“It is a done deal. She is the next FCT minister. From her days as the Chief of Staff to Governor El-Rufai and her time in the NPA, down to her time in the campaign council, she has shown capacity, and the president-elect wants such people in his team.”
Bala-Usman recently released a memoir titled ‘Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority.’
In the book, she accused a former minister of transport of having an entitlement mentality and booting her out of the NPA when she failed to do his bidding.
Amaechi, who lost the APC presidential primary election to Tinubu is yet to react to the allegations made by the former NPA boss.
