Following unexpected cabinet shake-up, some members of President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet have become jittery over the ongoing reshuffle, especially the “surprise package” method he has adopted.
Some of the ministers have been clearing their desks ahead of any surprise package.
Fresh facts also emerged yesterday that the President forced ex-Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah; ex-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; and others after allegedly not heeding his advice.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the President is contemplating either removing more ministers or redeploying those controversial to less demanding ministries.
It was learnt that most ministers have embraced the Boys’ Scout motto of “Be Prepared”.
A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “No FEC member expected that the four ministers would be asked to go on Wednesday. We were all in boisterous mood until the bombshell came.
“The instant message was that it could be anyone. The reality is that no one knows where he or she stands in the cabinet.
“Some of our colleagues have cancelled some private trips abroad. In fact, only God saved a minister who had been away from the country for two and a half weeks. Imagine someone occupying a sensitive ministry embarking on a jamboree abroad. The minister was lucky to have come at the nick of the time.”
Another FEC source said: “We have heard rumours of the impending sack of more ministers. This is a period we are just clearing our desks in case of fresh shake-up.
“What some us now do is to adopt a “Be Prepared” attitude because those who left on Wednesday were unprepared for their exit. There was just no inkling.
“Now, we are in a situation where it is difficult for some of us to fully concentrate till the ‘cleansing’ is over.”
A third source said: “Change is obvious in a person’s life. We came into this cabinet and we will leave one day too.
“All I do is not to delay any decision again till the next day because I may not be there. The President has changed his style; we are also trying to adjust to his new method.
“Wednesday was a ‘Black Day’ in the cabinet; we will now go to FEC not only to discuss state matters but to expect the worst.”
More facts also emerged yesterday that the President forced out ex-Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah; ex-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; and others after allegedly not heeding his advice
A presidency source, who spoke in confidence, said: ‘Since December, the President had made up his mind on Oduah and he had given subtle advice that she should resign.
“But Oduah made spirited attempts to explain to the President that she did not own the bulletproof cars or steal public funds. She was bidding time.
“She also sent emissaries to the President to intervene. The responses from the emissaries gave her hope that her situation was redeemable. But the President, whose administration was almost being rubbished because of the N255million bulletproof cars’ scandal, would not allow the aviation scam to fester.
“Even at that, instead of outright sack, the President provided a window for them to resign.”
Asked why the President opted for resignation by ministers, the source added: “The President did not want to take action that will tarnish their political career or image in any way. He believes every person, no matter how bad, needs an opportunity of a second chance to redeem his or her situation.”
Concerning Orubebe, a Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs source said: “As a matter of fact, Orubebe had intended to resign from the cabinet in March. In fact, he had made this known to most of his political associates.
“The most painful aspect is that President Jonathan, however, beat him to the game. The former minister, who collected the President’s nomination form in 2011, had least expected the forced resignation on Wednesday. Orubebe was actually preparing for a golf tournament he was expected to sponsor on Saturday in Sapele. He wanted to use the tournament to sell Jonathan’s administration.
“The so-called resignation also came barely nine days after Orubebe’s wife gave birth to a set of twins after a long break. So, it was a case of a joyous moment at hand and sadness following. He has, however, taken it in good faith.”
Pressed to be specific, the source said: “Actually, the strain in the relationship between the President and Orubebe bordered on his governorship ambition.
“The President had advised Orubebe to remain in the cabinet with him for eight years, if he gets a second term ticket. But Orubebe said he heard a divine call to lead Delta State and turn it around.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “I think it was obvious that ex-Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olukolade, was being dragged into governorship politics than state duties. He did not read the President’s handwriting that he should quit.
“The same thing applies to ex-Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, who was trying to rebuild the PDP in Yobe State for his governorship ambition in 2015.”
Source: The Nation
