The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State through its Presidential Campaign Council, has dismissed claims about the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, working for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
There are claims that the Minister did not show commitment to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
But APC in a statement made available to journalists on Monday affirmed that Kachikwu was neither sitting on the fence nor supportive of any other political interest outside the ruling party.
The statement was signed and issued by Director General and Deputy Director General of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Temi Harriman, and Dr Iyke Odikpo, respectively.
The statement reads, “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have responded to spurious claims as we are used to such coordinated media attacks designed to impugn the personality and achievements of the Honourable Minister, using obscure blogs and online platforms with a faceless element with no affiliation to the Party.
“The Minister had always insisted that his political affiliation cannot threaten his friendship with Nigerians across the board.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Minister is not -overtly or covertly – supporting the Presidential candidate of the PDP nor is he sitting on the fence.
“He is irreversibly commitment to the re-election of President Buhari and all APC candidates.
“It is important to state here that the Dr Ibe Kachikwu has no ulterior motives nor seeks to undermine, usurp or dwarf the political fortune or interest of anyone.
“His contributions to the Delta APC is consistent with his character of achieving a result. Therefore, the futile attempt to impugn his person will only lead to a collision course that will undermine all the gains of the party so far.
“The unparalleled efforts of the Honourable Minister in repositioning the APC in the State, to make it a viable opposition to the ruling PDP cannot be overemphasized.
“While Kachikwu is not someone who craves media attention or flaunt his achievement, it has become expedient to state some of his commitment to not only the campaign but the Party.”
The statement added that Kachikwu has made Delta State “a more cohesive and stronger alternative, giving the ruling party a run for their money.
“The figures from exit polls in the recent elections is a clear testament to this fact.
“The efforts of the Minister led to the successful visit of the Vice President to the Senatorial Zones in the State to launch the TraderMoni in markets, and visit Traditional rulers.
“Also, the Presidential Rally at the Warri Township Stadium was very successful and further the narrative that the party is grounded in the State.
“Despite his very tight work schedules, the Minister also participated in Presidential rallies in other parts of the country and Local Government Area rallies in the State in support of APC.”
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