Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State have expressed their disapproval of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged attempts to nominate the state’s ministerial slot in President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming cabinet. The Bayelsa APC Elders Council stated that they were surprised by Jonathan’s actions, as he had actively supported the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, Chief Michael Adomokeme, the Chairman of the council, criticized Jonathan’s actions, stating that it was unfair for him to try to reap where he did not sow. He likened it to someone seeking to receive salaries from a company where they did not work.
Adomokeme expressed confidence that President Tinubu, known for rewarding hard work, would not allow such actions to go unchecked.
“Some of us have been here since the early days of this party when it was considered a taboo just to be a member. APC in Bayelsa was called either an Islamic party or Hausa party by Jonathan and his people. Despite Jonathan’s efforts to make us fail in the 2023 elections, we succeeded by God’s grace. What right does he have to suddenly want to nominate the minister from Bayelsa State?” Adomokeme questioned.
He also found it demeaning for a former president to beg for a single ministerial slot, considering that Jonathan had personally nominated dozens of ministers during his six years in office. The stakeholders urged Jonathan to maintain his statesman status and not engage in political lobbying, which they believe undermines the dignity of the office of the President of Nigeria.
