The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, has defended himself following a letter forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, cautioning him over recent comments attributed to him on internal party matters.

In a response letter dated November 21, 2025, Ata said he was surprised that a letter purportedly addressed to him was already circulating on social media before receiving any official copy, describing the development as inappropriate and unfair to a serving Minister and dedicated party member.

He noted that the letter from the party failed to specify any particular statement or action that amounted to wrongdoing, adding that broad and vague accusations made it impossible to respond in a meaningful or constructive manner.

“As a Nigerian citizen, I fully reserve the constitutional right to express my personal opinions,” Ata said, stressing that he had never, directly or indirectly, claimed to speak on behalf of the APC. He insisted that all comments he made were strictly in his personal capacity.

The minister reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, noting that he had consistently upheld and safeguarded the image of the President and remained committed to promoting the administration’s progressive vision.

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Background

SolaceBase earlier reported that the APC in Kano wrote a warning letter to Housing Minister, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata and copied President Bola Tinubu over his public remarks on party leadership issues “had the tendency to provoke misunderstandings and disunity among members.”

In the letter signed by the state chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, the APC maintained that matters concerning internal party affairs “fall strictly within the purview of the APC leadership and its designated spokespersons.”

Ata had reportedly criticised the reappointment of the current APC Kano chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, suggesting that retaining him could weaken the party’s electoral prospects. He was also quoted as saying he might consider leaving the party if Abbas remained in office—comments he later clarified.

The minister had insisted that his remarks were meant to strengthen unity within the party and accused some media platforms of misrepresenting his statements to create unnecessary tension.