The spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, and minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, has accused the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of being behind the call for his resignation as a minister.
Keyamo, in a statement on Sunday night, August 14, said he has not violated any known law while serving as a minister, and the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also stated that his duty as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential council spokesperson for the 2023 general election has not in any way affected his official work as a minister, adding that he uses his personal resources to carry out his party assignment, according to The Vanguard.
In the statement titled, “Call for my resignation, a sign of jitters in the opposition camp”, Keyamo said he would continue to serve his country, and his party.
The statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to a statement by a certain Civil Society Organization (CSO) alleging a conflict of interest between my role as a campaign spokesperson, and as minister of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“Firstly, without meaning to demean them, these are people fully aligned to opposition parties but disguising as a Civil Society Organization (CSO).
“We know them. I cannot recall a single statement like this from these people throughout the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) era when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ministers were fully involved in presidential campaign activities.
“For instance in 2015, my brother, special duties minister, Kabiru Turaki, served as the deputy director-general (North) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, and these characters said nothing then.
“So, you can be sure that this is Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) speaking through one of their non-governmental organizations.
“Secondly, I am a full member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and I am entitled to participate in party activities.
“My dues to my party is deducted every month from my meagre salary, and sent to the party.
“Being a director in a campaign council is like every other party activity.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) want to deny me my fundamental human right to freedom of association because I am a minister.
“Thirdly, there is no conflict of interests. I fail to see any. Am I using public resources to campaign? Not at all.
“We have an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign office, and I have my well-furnished private chambers, better equipped than my minister’s office.
“Even the car which takes me to media interviews does not belong to the ministry.
“Since I became a minister, the ministry has not provided a single car for my personal use.
“I have been sacrificing for the nation with my personal cars and resources. This is now on record, and my permanent secretary can attest to this.
“Yet I grant interviews after my day’s work or at weekends or at break time.
“Campaign directors are volunteers. We are not paid a single salary or allowance for our work, so the allegation of double privilege or whatever that means is incorrect.
“Moreso, section 84 of the electoral act clearly states that political appointees are to resign if they are to contest for any party position or any public office.
“No mention was made of ad hoc appointments for party activities. So, strictly speaking, no law is being violated here.
“Therefore the so-called position of these people are untenable, ill-informed and consequently rejected.
“I am sorry to disappoint them, but I will serve my country, and I will serve my All Progressives Congress (APC).”
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