The sack of the SGF, Nigerian Pilot gathered, has been on
the table for quite some time now. Already, the trio of Presidential Adviser on
Inter-Party Relations and former Senator, Chief Ben Obi, former Senate
President, Dr. Ken Nnamani and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has
been shortlisted as possible replacements.
It was also gathered that the SGF is already aware of the
move to oust him from office and has been making moves to save his job by
courting the assistance of those he believed has the ears of the president.
Part of the reasons for the planned removal of the SGF
include his alleged inability to effectively coordinate activities in the
presidency as Head of its secretariat, lack of political clout needed by
the president at critical periods such as now when 2015 general elections are
drawing close. Others include his alleged lack of support from fellow Ibos, his
frequent slumber at crucial state functions (he sleeps a lot), as well as the
shabby manner the SGF handled the compilation of nominees for the ongoing
National Conference, resulting in allegations by several groups that names
submitted by them were manipulated by the office of the SGF.
The SGF is said to have lost the support of his Ibo
kinsmen who are said to have written to the president asking for his
replacement.
It was further alleged that on several occasions, the SGF
was found wanting in the discharge of his duties, particularly ‘those moments
when prompt and decisive action was needed to tackle urgent state matters’, our
source explained.
He gave two instances. One was at the inauguration of the
National Conference where he said was probably due to the enormity of
Anyim’s responsibility, he dozed off while President Jonathan was inaugurating
the Conference Committee.
Anyim, who welcomed delegates to the Conference, slept
throughout the 22 minutes that President Jonathan spoke. But intermittently, he
shook his head as delegates clapped in response to points raised by the
President in his speech.
Another instance was at the meeting between the PDP and
the national chairman of the party, in February. Guests and leaders of the
Peoples Democratic Party were shocked when the then new National Chairman of
the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, specifically urged SGF to learn not to sleep
during public functions. Mu’azu spoke when leaders of the party from
Ebonyi State visited him and the leadership of the party to pay homage and wish
him well following his election.
The group was led by the governor, Martin Elechi, who
spoke on behalf of the delegation from his state, which included Anyim,
Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and some other political office
holders from the state.
But while Mu’azu was replying, he looked over at Anyim,
who had already dozed off, and immediately confronted the SGF.
“Mr. Anyim, I hope you have not started doing what you
like doing best,” Mu’azu said, making the motions of a dozing person. The
laughter that followed from the audience woke up the sleeping SGF” Mu’azu said.
It will be recalled that while he was a senator, Anyim
often fell asleep on the floor of the Senate, an action that made the late
Chuba Okadigbo, at that time the Senate President, to scold him on one
occasion. Witnesses recall that the scolding followed an instance when Anyim,
suddenly woke up from his usual sleep and without knowing the topic being
discussed, shouted that he wanted to make contribution. An angry Okadigbo then
asked Anyim whether he knew what was being discussed, to which Anyim just
smiled, provoking general laughter among the Senators.
Our source further said that with 2015 drawing close, the
president needs an SGF who will rally the support of Ibos and other Nigerians,
should Jonathan decide to re-contest in the election, stressing that, that
informed the decision to go for either Ben Obi (whose nomination is being
backed by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau), Ken Nnamani or Peter Obi.
“Jonathan needs somebody who will give him political
backing and effectively coordinate a sensitive and critical office as that of
the SGF, which the present SGF lacks”, our source stated.
However, efforts made to confirm the story before going
to press proved abortive as both presidency spokespersons and SGF aides could
not be reached. But a close friend to Anyim who pleaded anonymity, confirmed
the development. He told Nigerian pilot on phone that the SGF is already
aware, stressing that inquiries they made at the office of the Chief of
Staff to the President could not affirm what he described as ‘political
rumour’.
-----SOURCE- NIGERIAN PILOT
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