By Adeleye Kunle
Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has insisted that accepting the position of spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council did not violate any laws, TrackNews reports.
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a civil society organization (CSO), had asked Keyamo to resign as a minister so that he could carry out his campaign appointment objectively.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, Keyamo stated that TMG is supported by opposition parties.
“For example, in 2015, my brother, special duties minister Kabiru Turaki, served as the PDP/Jonathan campaign council’s deputy director-general (North).” These characters remained silent. So you can be certain that the PDP is speaking through one of their NGOs.
“I am a full member of the APC and have the right to participate in party activities.” My party dues are deducted from my meager salary each month and sent to the party.
“Being a campaign council director is just like any other party activity.” Because I am a minister, they want to deny me my fundamental human right to freedom of association.
“Third, there are no competing interests.” I don’t see any. Am I campaigning with public funds? Absolutely not. We have an APC campaign office, and my private chambers are better equipped than my minister’s office.
“Even my car for media interviews is not a ministry vehicle.” The ministry has not provided a single car for my personal use since I became a minister. I’ve been sacrificing my personal vehicles and resources for the sake of the country.
“This is now on record, and my permanent secretary can confirm it.” I conduct interviews after my day’s work, on weekends, or during my lunch break.
“Fourth, campaign directors, at least in my case, are volunteers. Because we are not paid a single salary or allowance for our work, the claim of double privileged (whatever that means) is false.
