2023 Presidency: Akpabio Decries Distraction From Channels TV, Others
2023 Presidency: Akpabio Decries Distraction From Channels TV, Others
Ex-Governor of Akwa Ibom State now Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has urged Channels Television against distracting him from the task of helping President Muhammadu Buhari achieve his set goals for the Niger Delta people.
The minister, who knocked the broadcaster for listing him among those seeking to succeed Buhari in 2023, faulted the use of his photograph on the Television station's political programme for the same purpose.
Ezenwoko's Blog reports that in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom, the Minister kicked that the nation's media were not respecting his request not to be associated with ambition for the 2023 presidency.
The former Senate Minority Whip categorically requested: “that he be allowed to focus on the national assignment of assisting President Mohammadu Buhari to achieve his set goals for the people of Niger Delta Region.”
The statement read in part, “On Sunday, 17th October 2021, Channels Television's political discussion and interview programme – Politics Today, anchored by Mr Seun Okinbaloye, listed the name of the Hon. Minister and went ahead to use his photograph as one of those purportedly eyeing the presidential seat in 2023.
“As a politician and a serving Minister of the Federal Republic, who understands the distractions such unsolicited action(s) could cause in the polity, the Hon Minister, has, therefore, for the umpteenth time, called on groups, individuals and media houses, either Newspapers, Television, Radio or Online discussion platforms, to forthwith, stop associating his name and picture whenever 2023 Presidential discussions are being held.”
Udom asserted that the Minister has neither consulted any individual or groups nor declared interest in contesting for the rumoured post in the upcoming election.
According to him, “What is topmost in the heart of the Hon. Minister is how to assist President Mohammadu Buhari to leave a lasting legacy in the Niger Delta Region and to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to deliver on its mandate.”
The statement, therefore, warned other media houses and 2023 presidential election campaigners against the use of Akpabio's “name and photographs as one of the purported presidential aspirants in 2023, in any of their discussion platforms.”