Edo North APC bigwigs dismiss favoritism-tag against Niger Delta Minister, Abubakar Momoh

The All Progressives Congress (APC) party bigwigs from the Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, have described as baseless and unfounded, the favoritism allegations against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh.

It was alleged that Edo South Senatorial district is being discriminated in terms of political appointment and projects allocation in favor of the Edo North  because the Honorable minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh and the state leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole are both from the Northern axis of the State.

Dismissing the allegations, stakeholders of APC, Hon. Godwin Eshieshi, Alhaji Musa Suleiman and the APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, in a jointly signed press statement, defended the Niger Delta Minister, describing him a fair and just leader. The statement further said  the allegations against him were false as the Minister has not made any appointments since his assumption of office.

The statement in part reads; “Ordinarily, one would have turned a blind eye to these allegations, but as a result of the respect we have for the Royal father and the good people of Edo South, it is pertinent to set the records straight. Since the Honorable Minister of Niger Delta assumed office, no appointment has been made in the ministry. The Honorable Minister toured the region with a view to consulting with the stakeholders of the region, inspection of projects and also to have a first hand knowledge of abandoned, ongoing and completed projects.

“The tour availed the Honorable Minister the opportunity to interact with the critical stakeholders of the region and also carry out the needs assessment of the region which has enabled him present his budget to the National Assembly. On the national scene, the Benin National Congress, BNC, need not be reminded that political appointments are based on the performance or patronage of the political party in each region.

“We are aware of the shenanigan and the anti-party activities that played out in the last general elections which resulted to the senatorial district losing the senatorial seat and the presidential election to another political party in the state. It’s never heard of that failure is rewarded. Therefore, expecting to get the same or more political appointments like Edo North which in any case is not true, will amount to reaping where one did not sow” the statement read in parts.”

Furthermore, the statement warned that the accusations of playing ethnic card levelled against the Honorable minister, Engr. Abubakar Momoh and the Distinguished Senator Adam Oshiomhole is akin to giving a dog bad name in order to hang it.

The Edo North Stakeholders therefore urged all Edolites to eschew ethnic bitterness and join hands with the Honorable minister, Abubakar Momoh and Senator, Adams Oshiomhole to move the state in particular and the Niger Delta region in general forward.