Keyamo rejects calls for his resignation

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has rejected the calls for his resignation over his appointment as the spokeperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

Some civic groups had asked Keyamo to resign his ministerial position, alleging a conflict of interest between his role as APC campaign spokesperson and as minister.

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But the minister, in a statement he personally signed yesterday, rejected the calls, describing it as a sign of jitters in the opposition camp.

He said he has not violated any extant law by serving as a minister and APC campaign spokesperson simultaneously.

“There is no conflict of interests. I fail to see any. I grant interviews after my day’s work or at weekends or at break time.

“Being a director in a campaign council is like every other party activity. They want to deny me my fundamental human right to freedom of association because I am a minister.

“Campaign Directors are volunteers; at least I am. We are not paid a single salary or allowance for our work, so the allegation of double privilege (whatever that means) is incorrect,” he said.