2023: Count Me Out Of Media Speculations, Akpabio Warns

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has warned media organisations to count him out of media speculations as regards the 2023 presidential election.

This was as he cautioned media houses, both conventional and online, groups and individuals to desist from using his name and photographs in any of their discussions on any of the speculated presidential aspirants.

Akpabio made these known in a statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, and declared that he has neither consulted any group or individual, nor made known any interest to contest the presidential election in 2023.

“It has come to the notice of the Hon Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio, that despite his calls on 2023 presidential election campaigners that he be allowed to focus on the national assignment of assisting President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve his set goals for the people of Niger Delta region, they have refused to respect the position of the Hon. Minister.

“On Sunday, 17 October, 2021, Channels Television’s political discussion and interview programe – 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.

“The Hon. Minister, for the records, has not consulted any individual or groups nor has he declared interest in contesting the 2023 presidential election, as being rumoured.

“What is topmost in the heart of the Hon. Minister is how to assist President Muhammadu 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 Hon. Minister, therefore, appeals to media houses and 2023 campaigners to let him be because he has a job at hand and will not want to be distracted on an issue he has not contracted, consulted nor discussed with anybody,” the statement reads.