Outgoing Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has dismissed media reports that he was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that he resigned voluntarily to enable him participate in politics of Delta State ahead of 2015 general elections.
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Elder Orubebe who made the clarification during the formal handing over ceremony of the affairs of the ministry to the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Arch. Darius Ishaku in Abuja, said he willingly resigned his ministerial portfolio to go home and play politics.
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According to him, “for the avoidance of doubt, I was not dropped, and I was not sacked. I put in my letter of resignation because I want to go and play politics both at the national level and in Delta state .”
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The former minister who said, “I have told the people we are bringing new concept of governance in Delta state, added, “I can’t continue as minister and become governor of Delta State.”
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Orubebe pointed out that his resignation was as a result of his political interest at the national and state level. Orubebe who was first appointed Minister of Special Duties by late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007 was later appointed Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs upon the creation of the ministry in 2009 by President Yar’Adua.
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He was later appointed substantive Minister of the ministry by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 following the demise of President Yar’Adua. Orubebe who succeeded the pioneer Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Ufot Ekaette had been steering the affairs of the Ministry until 12 February 2014 when he resigned.
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Orubebe who was a former Councillor representing his Ward at the Burutu Local Government Council of Delta State, rose to become the Chairman of Local Government Council, Minister of Special Duties, Supervising Minister of National Planning, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
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Emphasising on the experiences he had gathered in politics and civil service over the years, Orubebe declared that, “I want to off load these to the services of my people because I don’t want to go just like that without giving back what God has given to me.”
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