…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has come under scrutiny for his assertion that the appointment of a minister of state is both abnormal and unconstitutional.
Keyamo made this statement during the valedictory session led by President Muhammadu Buhari to commemorate the final Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja, as reported by Naija News.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, expressed his view that many of his colleagues had been ineffective over the past eight years.
He further stated that other ministers of state had been reluctant to voice their concerns.
Keyamo argued that assessing the individual performance of ministers of state was challenging due to the limitations imposed on them by senior ministers.
The minister lamented that any original ideas proposed by a minister of state had to receive clearance from another colleague within the Cabinet before they could be considered by the Council.
He also expressed gratitude to President Buhari for enhancing his professional experience through the appointment.
In response to Keyamo’s remarks, Nigerians took to Twitter to accuse the minister of hypocrisy, alleging that he had accepted allowances and salaries from the same office he now criticized.
Several users shared their reactions on the micro-blogging platform.
– @AustinNwabufo insinuated that Keyamo’s appointment was influenced by a personal incident.
– @Shehusky compared Keyamo to someone hindering others from becoming ministers of state.
– @SodiqTade suggested that Keyamo’s remarks were aimed at discouraging former Governor Tinubu from accepting a junior ministerial position.
– @InibeheEffiong agreed with Keyamo’s arguments but questioned why he had chosen to speak out now instead of protesting at the time of his appointment.
– @Chidiugoo criticized Keyamo for canceling the ministry after benefiting from his position.
– @Morris_Monye found Keyamo’s admission of his ineffectiveness during his tenure amusing.
– @HRFKingFGA commended Keyamo for highlighting the unconstitutionality of his own position despite holding it for four years.
– @AimThaMachine_ compared Keyamo’s actions to those of Emdee Tiamiyu, who similarly ended his office after being interviewed by the BBC.
– @ElkanahDadiya accused Keyamo of selfishness and greed, suggesting that he only recognized the unconstitutionality of the minister of state position at the end of his appointment.
Festus Keyamo’s claim regarding the constitutional status of the minister of state position has sparked controversy and criticism among Nigerians.