BENIN — Retorting at Adams Oshiomhole’s recent statement on APC chairmanship, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo has said the allegations levied against him by the former National Chairman of the ruling party are unfounded.
The minister denied any involvement in the dissolution of the National Working Committee of the APC and the removal of Oshiomhole as the chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
He debunked the allegations in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo.
Oshiomhole while giving his position on an alleged statement by the ex-National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, which centered on his interest in APC chairmanship, he claimed Keyamo was one of those who masterminded his removal as the National Chairman of the party.
According to him, Keyamo offered legal advice on the legality of the National Executive Party (NEC), which was convened for the dissolution of his National Working Committee of APC and emergence of the Governor Mai-Mala Buni led Caretaker Committee.
However, Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has denied being privy to the procedures adopted for the selection of the committee members. Hence, the allegations are untrue.
“The story of the political tussle between Gov. Godwin Obaseki and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State is so well documented that we do not need to remind Nigerians about it. Mr. Keyamo had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with it. The cases they filed against each other raged from Benin to Abuja and other parts of the country. Mr. Keyamo NEVER filed a single case in court, nor was his Chambers or juniors in Chambers used in any of the cases. The records are there.
“When the crises finally consumed Oshiomhole, Mr. Keyamo was not in any strategic legal position like the office of the AGF, APC legal adviser or an SA to any high office within the system on legal matters. Mr. Keyamo is not PRIVY to how members of the CECPC were nominated and/or selected, so he did not have the benefit of the opportunity to point out any legal disabilities.”
The minister noted that his “private and confidential advice” was forwarded to only the National Chairman of the caretaker committee and three other highly placed persons. A move he considered to have been done out of patriotism and selflessness.
He stated that the former chairman’s outburst was needless and extraneous, adding that Oshiomhole must be misinformed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Keyamo has no personal interest to serve. He is very content with the assignment given to him by Mr. President and is very much ready and willing to return to his thriving legal practice whenever his assignment is over. He is not struggling with anyone for anything other than to enthrone justice and fairness within the system. He has climbed the highest ladder in his chosen profession before being called upon to public office. As such, public office is not a do-or-die affair for him. All insinuations in Oshiomhole’s release that Mr. Keyamo is after some personal gain is pure balderdash,” he said.
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