The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has debunked the allegations of  power tussle between him and his colleague, Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture.

In a statement sent to LEADERSHIP and signed by the senior technical adviser (Policy) Donald Ojogo, it stated that “the attention of the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has been drawn to a publication in a national daily and an online outlet that there exists a power tussle between him and his colleague, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

“To say the least, the publication is unsubstantiated and misleading. Nothing is farther from the truth. For the avoidance of doubt, as ministers, we have displayed an uncommon brotherliness and resolve to ensure food security in a diversified economy with agriculture as the hub. That vision is resolute and no amount of distraction and blackmail will deviate both ministers from this path.”

Lokpobiri said “It is needless to recall too, that, as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing our respective states, our allegiance and loyalty are to the President at whose behest we all hold office. In this regard, our responsibility is collective and must align with Mr President’s vision for a re-energised agricultural sector. This we have set out to do as ministers with positive results already underway”.

He added that  “Nothing is indicative whether or not there is a ladder of superiority as insinuated in the contents of the publication. It is therefore preposterous that such a report could come at a time we all savour a unity of purpose and cohesion in the ministry”.

The Minister of state also refuted the allegations on purported allocation of grains by the Ministry, saying that “the reference made to the purported allocation of grains is nothing but falsehood. Procedures, processes and machinery regarding or guiding government transactions are unambiguous. It is therefore unthinkable for the authors of the fictitious publication to insinuate lies. This is moreso that there is no one by the name Juliet Jiwah in the Minister of State’s office.

“While mischief makers and political detractors are free to embark on wide goose chases, the minister and his counter minister of state will not be deterred by such atrocious media‎ manipulations” he said

Similarly, Ibrahim Abubakar has also debunk the allegations saying” My attention has been drawn toa  publication linking me with an alleged sale of allocated grains in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The publication is false and fabricated.‎ It is only a figment of the imagination of the authors and those behind it.”

Let me state that at no time was I contacted or sought to act as a sales agent for the said commodity. Worst still, the report had given the semblance ‎of a failed deal between me and a director in the ministry. I wish to state categorically that the report is a bundle of falsehood intended to score whatever point known only to those behind it.