Bin Usman Rano supposedly announced the employment of seven advisers and claimed to be Dr. Mariya Mahmoud’s media aide; however, Dr. Mahmoud has denied any involvement with the matter.
Austine Elemue, the minister’s special assistant on media, issued a statement on Monday denying that the minister was involved in the appointment process.
According to Elemue, no one other than himself is entitled to speak publicly on behalf of the minister as a media aide.
While Rano does not hold a position in the minister’s office, the statement did mention that he is associated with the Dr. Mariya Support Group, a political organization that is supporting Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
A statement was issued by Mr. Bin Usman Rano, stating that any appointments, designations, announcements, or authorisations were solely related to the support group’s affairs and had no bearing on the Office of the Honourable Minister of State, FCT, or the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Media, protocol, student relations, youth and sports, religious affairs, and special tasks were among the seven aides allegedly revealed by Rano over the weekend.
Members of the public, news outlets, and government agencies were instructed by the minister’s office to depend solely on official channels for any information concerning her office.
In addition, Dr. Mahmoud’s dedication to openness, responsibility, and clear communication in fulfilling her duties was underlined in the statement.