BEVERLY HILLS, August 14, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s flambuoyant Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has dissociated himself from campaign posters showing that he had thrown his hat in the ring for the 2019 governorship elections in Delta State.
Kachikwu, in statement by Idang Alibi, Director Press, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, stated that Kachikwu has not openly indicated any interest in running for any elective political office in Delta State.
THEWILL can however report that Kachikwu had privately indicated his intention to run for the governorship seat in 2019 after he was appointed Group Managing Director (GMD) of the lucrative NNPC and subsequently named Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. One of his political advisers told our correspondent anonymously that his governorship bid crashed due to his unceremonious sack from the top NNPC position.
“Our attention has been drawn to fake campaign posters of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu for the 2019 governorship elections in Delta State pasted by unknown persons across the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement read.
“The office of the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources hereby dissociates itself from the campaign posters which he has absolutely no knowledge of. The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has not indicated any interest in running for any elective political office in Delta State.
“Dr Kachikwu is focused on delivering on the reforms currently being implemented in the petroleum sector under the leadership of President Buhari and Ag President Osinbajo in line with his duties as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Chair of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“He remains committed to effectively representing his state of origin, Delta State in the federal cabinet to institutionalise transparency, accountability and productivity in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
“It is gratifying that, despite challenges, measurable progress has been made in achieving important milestones under Kachikwu‘s watch and today, the petroleum sector is more transparent and contributes more to the national coffers. Consolidating on this progress remains the priority of Dr. Kachikwu and he refuses to be distracted from this focus.
“Dr. Kachikwu would like to urge stakeholders in both the Oil and Gas sector and indeed the general public to discountenance these unfounded speculations.
“The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources assures all Nigerians of his and Government’s continued commitment to the welfare and well-being of the citizenry, while thanking them for usual cooperation and collaboration towards achieving the lofty dreams of a thriving Oil and Gas sector for Nigeria.”
