Minister shuns Ondo APC members

THE already strained relationship between the newly appointed Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof. Claudius Daramola and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State at the weekend became heightened as the minister shunned them in a meeting in Akure, the state capital.

The party leaders comprised the state executives, the state working committee and leaders from all the local council areas of the state had waited more than eight hours for the minister at the party secretariat in Akure but he did not show up.

It was learnt that the minister had initiated such a meeting with party members on three different occasions but did not attend.

This dissipated the patience of members who had arrived the party secretariat as early as 11a.m. and were later dispersed at about 4p.m. by party chieftains.

The Vice Chairman of the party in the state, Ade Adetimehin made all efforts to reach the minister, but were in vain, as he was said to have switched off his phone

A member of the party executives told newsmen that the meeting was organised as an avenue for the minister to reach out to members since his candidacy was not supported by majority at the initial stage.

He said what got them angry was that he neither called nor sent any message to explain his action.

“Some of these people travelled from far places to be here today and they will still go back, yet he did not even call and now his phone is switched off,” he said.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the party, Steve Otaloro, however, apologised to journalists who were also there for hours, waiting, to cover the event.