The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has described the inclusion of the immediate past Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, in the ministerial nominees’ list sent to the National Assembly for consideration by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as laughable.
The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, wondered what value a minister who recently resigned from the Federal Executive Council would add to the nation.
The statement read, “Is Musiliu Obanikoro the only Lagosian qualified to serve in the Federal Executive Council? As a Minister, Obanikoro recently left the Jonathan cabinet to pursue a failed governorship ambition.
“Why is it that the President has turned the FEC to a games’ room and not for serious-minded personalities? Is the nomination Jonathan’s way of placating the former minister who lost the PDP governorship ticket in a primary that returned more ballot than the number of accredited delegates?”
The party said in a civilised clime, Obanikoro would be investigated for his alleged role in the rigging of the Ekiti State elections which was purportedly recorded on audio.
It said Jonathan’s endorsement of Obanikoro was an evidence that the President did not care about fighting corruption
It said, “How does one explain the nomination of a character who as a serving minister has been linked to the audio tape recording of a meeting where plots were perfected to rig the June 21, 2014 governorship poll in Ekiti State?
“Should a President, who has respect for the rule of law, nominate such a character to serve as minister again or recommend him to the appropriate security agency for investigation and prosecution?
“We in the APC are of the view that the nomination is President Jonathan’s endorsement of lawlessness and abuse. “Obanikoro’s screening by the National Assembly will be closely monitored and the APC believes it will not be a ‘bow and go’ affair for Obanikoro at the upper legislative chamber.”
The APC insists that the Federal Government must set up a panel to probe the role played by Obanikoro and the Minister of Police Affairs, Abduljelili Adesiyan, in the infamous audio tape.