‘Jonathan can’t nominate minister for Bayelsa APC’

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 the yet-to-be announced Bayelsa State ministerial slot.

The ICC said it was inconceivable for Jonathan, who was one of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to nominate the state’s representative in the incoming cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.

The ICC’s reaction followed tension generated in the party by reports suggesting that Jonathan was making attempts to hijack the Bayelsa ministerial slot.

The report rattled all APC stakeholders in the state, including members of the influential APC Elders’ Forum, who vehemently condemned the move.

The ICC in a statement on Sunday by its Director, Administration, Chief Joseph Fafi, appealed to party members who were angry with the report to be calm as a minister must be appointed from those who worked for the success of APC during the general elections.

Fafi, who described President Tinubu as a thorough person who rewarded loyalty, insisted that there was no way such injustice and unfairness would be allowed under him.

The statement reads in part: “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.”