The Bayelsa State chapter of the Tinubu/Shettima Independent Campaign Council (ICC) has assured members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that former President Goodluck Jonathan will not be allowed to nominate Bayelsa’s candidate for a ministerial slot.
The ICC said it was inconceivable for Jonathan, who is one of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to nominate the state’s representative in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, a member of the APC.
The ICC’s reaction followed the tension generated in the party by reports suggesting that Jonathan was making attempts to hijack Bayelsa’s ministerial slot.
The report rattled APC stakeholders in the state including members of the APC Elders’ Forum, who vehemently condemned the move.
The ICC in a statement signed in Yenagoa on Sunday by its Director (Administration), Chief Joseph Fafi, appealed to angry party members to calm down.
Fafi, who described President Tinubu as a thorough person and rewarder of loyalty, insisted that there was no way such injustice and unfairness would be allowed under the current President.
Fafi, a former Chairman of APC in Bayelsa, said: “At this point, everyone needs to calm down. Tinubu is a thorough person and is known to always reward loyalty.
“It is inconceivable to think that Jonathan would nominate a minister from Bayelsa State. While he is an elder statesman and we accord him that regard, but as drivers of Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Bayelsa state under the leadership of Engr Preye Aganaba, we know those who supported and those who worked against Tinubu.
“It was open and incontestable. Giving him the right to produce a minister in this government isn’t among the privileges Tinubu is ready to offer Jonathan.”
Fafi said President Tinubu understood that APC Bayelsa was preparing for a major election and would make appointments to strengthen the party and not empower any PDP mole.
He said: “For us, Bayelsans, this is not just any year. There’s some significance to the fact that this is an election year. So appointments coming in must be precise and tactical. Tinubu knows better than to give the ministerial slot to a PDP mole who would only try to truncate APC’s chances of upstaging the PDP and Governor Douye Diri.
“So while the rumours come with some flesh, because, obviously a few PDP chieftains are scurrying around nocturnally to fly certain persons, who campaigned heavily for Atiku, the rumours in reality will remain what they are: rumours.
“We are optimistic Tinubu will appoint a core, seasoned and well-qualified party person who would be a huge positive in our gubernatorial elections come November 11th. We urge our teeming supporters and entire campaign structure in the ICC, members of the APC and Bayelsans, in general, to relax for the right thing will be done, and equity will take center stage.”
President Tinubu and Former President Jonathan
