President Goodluck Jonathan has relieved four Ministers of their duties, as was announced at the Federal Executive Council meeting.
The relieved Ministers are Stella Oduah (Aviation), Caleb Olubolade (Police Affairs), Godsday Orubebe (Niger Delta Police Affairs), and Yerima Ngama (State, Finance).
Some sources within Jonathan’s cabinet indicate that the said lawmakers were "dropped, they did not resign," while others say their sack was passed off as voluntary resignation.
It will be recalled that Stella Oduah's case is related to corruption-related offences. Both the House of Representatives and a presidential committee indicted her for approving purchase of two bullet-proof cars for N255m. Investigations have also revealed that Oduah has forged her academic qualifications.
Speaking at the FEC, Information Minister Labaran Maku disclosed that the President directed the Ministers to vacate their positions to pursue political and private business interests they had expressed.
Apparently, Messrs Olubolade, Orubebe and Ngama might governorship aspirants in their respective states of Delta, Ekiti and Yobe.
Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide is to supervise the Ministry of Police Affairs, while the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Sam Ortom, is to supervise the Aviation Ministry. Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Gayius Isiaku, would supervise the ministry, while the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would have to combine her work with that of Yerima Ngama.
A source in the Presidency alleged that the President may see Oduah as a key role in his re-election campaign in 2015, as she played a prominent role in his campaign team in 2011.
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