Bribe-for-ministerial post: Buhari’s minister opens up

I’m being blackmailed – Lokopbiri

– Lokpobiri says the allegation against him and Sylva is orchestrated by an insignificant few within the APC and oiled by some external forces

– Lokpobiri says his blackmail won’t stand the test of time

– The junior minister says his political affinity with President Muhammadu Buhari dates back to 2003

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of state for Agriculture and Natural Resources has reacted to reports that he bribed his way to earn a ministerial post.

The APC had accused Lokpobiri of buying the ministerial slot meant for Bayelsa state from suspended party chieftain and governorship candidate in the last governorship election in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, March 30, state chairman of APC, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe had alleged that Sylva sidelined the leadership of the party in the state and tried to corner federal appointments for his cronies.

He claimed that Lokpobiri was not a genuine member of the party neither does he share the party’s vision of change.

However, in a statement signed on Monday, April 4,  by Donald Ojogo, his special assistant (media), Lokpobiri said the crisis within the Bayelsa APC was“orchestrated by an insignificant few within the party and oiled by some external forces who feel threatened about their political future, especially as the APC challenges the  outcome of the last governorship election at the election petition tribunal.”

Lokpobiri dismissed Orunimighe comments that he did not believe in the APC, stating that he had been an avid supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2003.

The statement reads: “It is a clear case of misrepresentation of facts to insinuate that Sylva collected money from Lokpobiri before his appointment as minister. This is an outright fabrication.

“For the records, Lokpobiri’s political affinity with President Muhammadu Buhari dates back to 2003 when he was the senatorial candidate of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) from Bayelsa West Senatorial District. He had vigorously campaigned for him to be president then.

“The assertion by Orunimigha can only be a fictionalised sermon heightened by defeated expectations. It is, therefore, a blackmail that cannot stand the test of time.”

The APC in Bayelsa state on Saturday, April 2 announced the suspension of Chief Timipre Sylva.

Apart from Sylva, four other members of the party were also suspended for anti-party conduct. They are Joseph Fafi, the party’s senatorial vice chairman central zone, Fortune Panebi who is the publicity secretary, Tonye Okio, organizing secretary and Edison Sogwe.

Their suspension came after reports had surfaced on how Lokpobiri had bribed Sylva to secure his ministerial nomination.