Executive Director, Business Development, Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, Stella Okotete, has said the Nigerian Senate decision to step down her screening and confirmation as a minister into the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu was “purely political games”.
Recall that the Senate declined clearance of Okotete, former governor of Kaduna, Nasir el-Rufai, and a nominee from Taraba State, Danladi Abubakar, citing security reports against them.
But, speaking in an online interview “Mic on Podcast” on Saturday, Okotete said the refusal of the senate to clear her as a nominee was “purely political games” adding that she would not have remained a director in the NEXIM bank if she was a security threat to the country.
Okotete, who emphasized that she is not under investigation by any security outfit in the country said, “I was not beaten out of the game of becoming a minister, I think some people tried to stop me from serving the country on a higher platform and they didn’t succeed,” she said.
“I’m sure, logically speaking if I’m a security threat or I have security issues, I won’t still be the ED of NEXIM Bank.”
Okotete said those fighting her are doing so because of their fears that she may vie for the 2027 Delta governorship election.
She added that there is no such intention to join the race to the Delta state government house in 2027.
“Most of the people fighting Stella Okotete today are all out of envy. I will be 40 years old in April,” she said
“At 40, who can say they have seen through all the tiers of the government, from LG to state and the federal government?
“At 36, I was the national woman leader for the party and still the executive director of NEXIM. I’m sure in Nigeria, there is no woman who has held two positions of such, simultaneously.
“It is all envy. I have made impact. I understand their fears and worries. I even told those who cared to listen that I don’t have the intention…
“Some of the fears are about 2027. You know how these politicians think. I’m not vying for governor of Delta state.”
Credit: TheCable
