Aftermath Of Minister Ewa’s Sack ***True Story Of Events ***3 Desperate Akwa Ibom Politicians Lobby For Replacement By Henshaw NYONG, Uyo. As President Goodluck Jonathan begins compilation of list of would-be Ministers to fill the existing nine (9) vacant positions in the Federal Executive Council, some desperate heavyweight politicians from Akwa Ibom are said to be scrambling for the plum job. The Country’s President Wednesday morning after the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa fired nine Ministers from his cabinet. Among the Ministers shown the way out is the Okobo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State born Professor, Ita Okon Bassey Ewa, who hitherto was the Minister of Science and Technology. However, a source in the Presidency who volunteered information on possible reasons the former University Don was fired said, although the duo (Jonathan and Ewa) enjoyed a cordial relationship during their days as University lecturers, his ouster may not be unconnected to his penchant in succeeding Governor Akpabio in 2015. “But, we learnt he (Ewa) is not even close to the governor”, the source added. This reporter reliably scooped that even when the process of nomination is neither officially disclosed nor completed as nominees must be confirmed by the Senate (as with all things political in Nigeria), two former Senators and a former deputy governor from Akwa Ibom (names withheld) are said to be in a rat race, exploiting all avenues to claw their way into President Jonathan’s cabinet. When asked if the State governor has been told to nominate his candidate for Ewa’s replacement, as speculated, Chief of Staff to one of the lobbyists who opted for anonymity however dismissed such insinuations, revealing that Mr President since the major cabinet reshuffle had declined seeing anyone, including the State governors. On why Jonathan does not want to see anyone for now, a senior aide in the Presidency volunteered, “Mr President has been specifically advised to be circumspect in requesting for any nominee and has been warned not to appoint controversial elements capable of causing crisis for his administration if the Nation is to move forward. In fact, he wants to pick these people by himself. Those he’ll pick, according to his body language, are core grassroots politicians who are deep-rooted. It’s a pity that most of his former Ministers were not even known in their respective polling units not to talk of having even a church group that would aid the President’s re-election bid”, the informant said. The three politician (as at the time this story was filed), the reporter learnt, believe that one must be a fool to think that his/her skills, strength of character, education and intelligence alone will get him/her anywhere in Nigeria. Perhaps, for smaller and inconsequential positions, but for Ministerial post, one needs far more than the content of his/her curriculum vitae or resume. Meanwhile, concerned citizens of Akwa Ibom State in a vox-pop conducted in the Uyo Metropolis, Friday afternoon, have advised President Jonathan to be wary of lobbyists for the existing vacant position in the FEC and not to succumb to selfish interests in filling the positions, especially as regards the Akwa Ibom slot. Barrister Abasiubong Okon, a native of Anua Obio in Uyo Local Government Area, however, warned President Goodluck Jonathan not to succumb to the dictates of anyone; godfather, Governor or other selfish interests in reconstituting his cabinet, but to pick a son or daughter of the soil who can make an appreciable impact in a short time. The law luminary argued that “if he (Jonathan) gives such interests, for instance, the Governor a free hand to nominate candidates for the Ministerial slot, Mr President would get a Minister whose loyalty will be to the State Chief Executive rather than to the country first, and of course, to the President, whose penchant for a second term in office is like the eagle eyes”
Posted on: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 06:17:18 +0000