A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC in Edo State, Comrade Samuel Bello, has called for calm, following the appointment of Hon. Abubakar Momoh as Minister of Youth.
The appointment of the 62-year-old Momoh by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday has sparked protests from some APC youths in Edo state, following what they described as a slap and disdain coming from the contributions of the state towards the emergence of the APC government at the centre.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja at the weekend, Bello, the candidate of the APC for the House of Assembly Akoko-Edo North Constituency in the just concluded general elections and a grassroots politician described the protest as a mere distraction while urging the youths to support the government of President Tinubu.
He noted that the whole essence of appointing ministers is to help Mr President to discharge his duties.
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“I want to appeal to youths in my state (Edo) who are not happy over the appointment of Edo state ministerial nominee as Minister of Youth because of the state’s contribution to the victorious outcome of the APC.
“First, it is Mr President’s prerogative to appoint and delegate duties; and also, the whole essence of appointing ministers is to assist Mr President to discharge his duties. It all centres on service to the country and not the state of origin,” Bello stated.
He described as unpatriotic those who are claiming that some portfolios are juicier than others, insisting that the task ahead is building the nation and supporting Mr President to achieve his “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“Our focus is helping Mr President to achieve his Renewed Hope Agenda and not debating on which portfolio is juicier than the other. To me, this is unpatriotic,” Bello added.
On the task ahead for Momoh, Bello said: “I am confident Hon. Momoh, who is a grassroots politician, will ensure the ministry fulfils its intended purpose by tapping into the potential of the youth for the nation’s development.”
