Festus Keyamo Sends Strong Message To Politicians Seeking To Blackmail Him

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, says that his works programme aimed at creating 774,000 jobs for unskilled workers is a target of some politicians who seek to deter him from achieving it.

Keyamo said that the programme is facing some strong opposition and that there have been attempts to "blackmail" him until he succumbs "to political leaders."

He says that the move to stop him will be futile, as the only person who can stop him is the president who "gave me the opportunity and rare privilege to drive this programme."

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“There have been attempts at blackmailing me in this particular programme too to make us also yield to political leaders and we have said no – not while I am here.

“I have a pedigree; I have a background; I know where I am coming from. Before I came into public office, I have a pedigree and what I stand for.”

“Except Mr President, who appointed me stops me, and who gave me the opportunity and rare privilege to drive this programme, except he stops me, no other political leader or person can stop me. I am answerable only to Mr President."

Keyamo who refused to disclose the names of the politicians he was referring to said that he had been propositioned by "certain political leaders" who want to "determine who gets what and how" to which "I said no."

He said, “Before coming here today, there has been an attempt by certain political leaders to say I must come and see them behind the scene first to determine who gets what and how, and I said no. I am ready at any time for a public debate on this with them.

“I think the chairmen can stand on their own; don’t go and hold meetings in the house of politicians to select; hold your meetings in NDE offices. Don’t go and meet in any government house to hold any meeting, don’t go to any politicians’ house to do selections.”