Allegation Against Lokpobiri Baseless – ReNAN
THE Rescue Nigeria Anti-corruption Network (ReNAN) has described the recent allegation levelled against the Minister of State, Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, by the Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Bayelsa State Chapter, Chief Timipa Oruminighe.
The National Coordinator, ReNAN, Hon. Engema Jumbo, made the statement while he briefed journalists in Abuja, and said Oruminighe and his group should provide substantive evidence to prove their bribe allegation, which they claimed the Minister paid money to former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, to get his ministerial slot and appointment.
Engema who was former Chairman, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and also Ekeremor LGA coordinator of Sylva Campaign Organisation of the Governorship Election in Bayelsa State, debunked the claim as he explained and disclosed salient issues that he described as uncalled for by the State APC chairman to spread false allegation against the Minister.
He said: “We in Rescue Nigeria Anti-corruption Network, ReNAN, is non-partisan and unbiased civil society organisation, and from our findings and investigation the allegation of bribery levelled against the Minister of State, Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, by the Bayelsa State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Timipa Oruminighe is baseless and misleading.
“And it is imperative to let the world know the true position of things in the Bayelsa State APC, and the truth must be told that the there is no evidence to prove the allegation Oruminighe raised up by saying the Minister got the ministerial appointment by buying it with raw cash from Timipre Sylva.
“If really he (Oruminighe) is serious with the allegation levelled against the Minister what were the details and documents of the discussions and transactions that took place between Sylva and Lokpobiri for the ministerial position?
“And let Oruminighe also prove if Lokpobiri bought the position of Sylva Campaign Director-General, and if he means his words let him go to court about the issue.”
According to Engema, the party leadership in the state unanimously agreed to nominate Lokpobiri as Minister from Bayelsa State, and the National Executive members did not fault it, and based on that Lokpobiri was nominated and appointed by merit and not through the back door.
Engema also stated that the APC family has remained a strong and big party in Bayelsa State, and every member should support its unity, and also discard the statement of the Chairman because he does not speak for the party.
“It is a way to distract members of the party by unfounded utterances of some persons in the party, and it is important for the party in the State to remain strongly united and believe in the course the party is pursuing.
“The party appreciates the Minister and his dogged effort to keep it going and will continue to build it to an enviable height, and also carry every member along, because Lokpobiri is APC and APC is Lokpobiri”, he stated.
