South-South group drums support for Ojuogboh nomination as minister

Amid the crisis in the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following the outcome of the February 25 and March 18 general elections and the battle for federal appointments by stakeholders in the state, the South-South Emancipation Vanguards, SEV has thrown its weight behind a former member of the House of Representatives and current chieftain of the ruling party, APC, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh.

The prominent South-South socio-economic, cultural and political group, particularly accused the former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo Agege of spearheading a series of blackmail to undermine the chances of Ojougboh being tipped by President Bola Tinubu for federal appointment.

SEV, in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by its chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Achojah, accused Omo-Agege of serially betraying President Tinubu before and after the presidential primaries of the ruling party.

The group stated that though Cairo is eminently qualified to handle any federal appointment, he’s not desperate about it and has neither spoken or lobbied for the position, compared to Omo-Agege who it claimed nominated himself by deceit.

The statement reads: “As we patiently await the cabinet appointments of our dear President, we unequivocally cast our support to the nomination of our dear Delta son and committed party man, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.

“Aside from his tested and trusted loyalty to the party, Dr. Cairo possesses the required leadership and professional experience to pilot the affairs of any portfolio assigned to him.

“It is also imperative that we clear the air over a misleading statement made by the Party faction loyal to the former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege in which its chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie made spurious and unfounded allegations against the person of Cairo Ojougboh.

“Contrary to the statement, it is in public knowledge that Ovie Omo-Agege and his group openly worked against President Tinubu prior to and during the Presidential elections.

“Unlike Ovie Omo-Agege, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh is not desperate to become a minister in as much as he is eminently qualified to head such a position.

“Omo-Agege and his group’s desperate moves to castigate the Cairo Ojougboh stems from the fact that he speaks the truth and refused to join them to work against President Tinubu during the elections and he never committed any offense.

“It is on record that Omo-Agege has been a serial betrayer of Tinubu during the existence of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, when he received campaign funds from Tinubu to run for governorship under the party’s platform in 2010. Omo-Agege acquired the ACN ticket but joined to work for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for the second term emergence of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on his victory at the polls. This was evident as Omo-Agege hurriedly congratulated Uduaghan.

“He didn’t stop there, Omo-Agege recruited the now suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele’s to participate in the APC presidential primary to scuttle Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s ambition. In public glare Omo-Agege issued Emefiele the party’s membership card.

“Even after the emergence of Asiwaju Tinubu at the primaries while other rivals closed ranks to join hands to support Asiwaju, Omo-Agege still forged ahead to oppose Tinubu with his alliance with the Obedient movement went to support Peter Obi for the Presidential election inorder to get their support in return for his Governorship ambition.

“Omo-Agege never denied the campaign billboards scattered all over Delta State bearing photos of himself and the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi. One of such was in the kwele- Asaba road, with the pictures of Obi/Datti for President, Omo-Agege/Osenabi for Governor and Deputy Governor. These Billboards were trending all over social media and Omo-Agege till this moment has not dissociated himself from them.

“The funds meant to project the Presidential elections for Asiwaju were hoarded until after the Presidential elections. The few persons who received money were instructed to keep the money for the governorship elections.”