The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has publicly disowned an individual identified as Bin Usman Rano, who allegedly claimed to be her media aide and announced the appointment of seven advisers on her behalf.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Austine Elemue, and also published via the Minister’s verified Facebook page. The statement described the alleged appointments as completely unauthorised and unrelated to the official operations of the Minister’s office or the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
According to the statement, Austine Elemue remains the only officially recognised media aide authorised to speak and issue statements on behalf of Dr. Mahmoud. He stressed that any communication or announcement not originating from his office should be disregarded by the public, media organisations and government institutions.
The controversy arose after Bin Usman Rano reportedly circulated information over the weekend announcing the appointment of seven individuals as advisers under various portfolios, including media, protocol, student affairs, youth and sports, religious affairs, and special duties. The announcement quickly gained attention before being disowned by the Minister’s office.
However, the Minister clarified that Rano is not attached to her official cabinet or administrative structure. Instead, he is reportedly affiliated with the “Dr. Mariya Support Group,” a political organisation that supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement further emphasised that any actions, announcements or designations made by Rano are strictly connected to the activities of the support group and have no bearing on the formal responsibilities or structure of the Minister’s office.
“The Office of the Honourable Minister of State, FCT, has no connection whatsoever with the appointments announced by Mr. Bin Usman Rano. Members of the public are advised to disregard such claims in their entirety,” the statement read.
The Minister’s office also used the opportunity to caution against misinformation and unauthorised representation, urging the public to rely solely on verified communication channels for accurate information regarding government activities.
Officials stressed that maintaining clear and credible communication is essential to ensuring transparency, preventing confusion, and preserving public trust in government institutions.
The statement also reaffirmed Dr. Mariya Mahmoud’s commitment to transparency, accountability and effective governance in the discharge of her duties within the FCT Administration.
The incident has sparked discussions around the activities of political support groups and the frequent misrepresentation of official government roles by individuals seeking influence or recognition within political circles.
Authorities have not announced any disciplinary or legal action against the individual involved, but the clarification from the Minister’s office is seen as an effort to prevent further misunderstanding and protect the integrity of official communications from the FCT Administration.
