Strong indications emerged on Friday that the appointment of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the head of the nation’s Economic Management Team, is causing disaffection in the Presidency.

Investigations showed that the decision of the President to place a special emphasis on the finance minister as the head of the EMT has resulted in subdued division and tension in the Presidency.

SATURDAY PUNCH gathered on good authority in Abuja that Vice-President Namadi Sambo is troubled by the decision to make Okonjo-Iweala the EMT head.

Okonjo-Iweala, a two-time finance minister, was given the additional responsibility of leading the country’s EMT by Goodluck Jonathan when the President handed out portfolios to the members of his cabinet last July.

The VP was set to have complained that with Okonjo-Iweala as the leader of the economic team, he had been stripped of what should have been his responsibilities, even though he still heads the National Council of Privatisation.

A top government official who confided in our correspondent on the condition of anonymity stated that Sambo was upset that he had been rendered virtually redundant with the existing arrangement, which seems like he is under the control of a minister.

The official told SATURDAY PUNCH that the strategic position assigned to Okonjo-Iweala had caused disharmony in the government as some of the ministers are said to be uncomfortable with the arrangement.

It was learnt that some of the ministers in strategic economic positions are displeased with the implied connotation that they are required to refer to one of their colleagues before taking crucial decisions.

SATURDAY PUNCH gathered that such ministers were not happy with the arrangement as they were also supposed to be controlling aspects of the economy as ministers.

The situation, it was learnt, was aggravated by the fact that some of the ministers find it difficult to have audience with the President when they want to discuss the affairs of the ministries they superintend with him (the President).

It was learnt that some of the ministers who attempted to have audience with the President were said to have queued at the waiting room of the Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Ogiadhome, without seeing him (Jonathan).

However, SATURDAY PUNCH investigations showed that the Presidency has taken steps to address the subdued tension being caused by the powers attributed to Okonjo-Iweala.

It was gathered that the Presidency was expected to address the issue at the current retreat for members of the Federal Executive Council holding at the Aso Rock Villa. It was learnt that arrangements had been concluded to pacify Sambo by making him to take control of the federal parastatals in the country.

This, it was learnt, was to ensure a harmonious relationship between the office of the President and that of the VP.

“The VP is upset. He used to be the head of the Economic Team. (But now) the VP is wondering why he has been sidelined and being made almost idle. The man is said to be complaining bitterly and the President, who does not want any rancour in the Presidency, has approved that all the parastatals be put under him,” the official said, not wanting to be mentioned because he was not officially authorised to speak on the issue.

“I can assure that one major decision that would come out of the retreat for cabinet members is to ensure that the VP issue is settled by putting him in charge of parastatals.”

But a source close to the Presidency dismissed the alleged rancour over the post given to Okonjo-Iweala by Jonathan as untrue.

The official argued that as the minister of finance, Okonjo-Iweala was the head of the Economic Team during the Obasanjo Administration, stressing that her position did not cause a division within the Presidency then.

The official said that if arrangements were made to put the parastatals under the control of the VP, it would not be as a result of a division in the Presidency and an attempt to pacify the VP as being claimed in some quarters.

The Presidency source debunked the claim that ministers were being prevented from having audience with the President.

He said the President believed that ministers should be allowed to preside effectively over the affairs of their ministries, rather being made to seek the approval of the President on every minor issue in the respective ministries they run.

The official stated that the FEC members were however happy with the President for giving them a free hand to award contracts within the limits provided for in the constitution.

“Who is saying so? But even you know that these are stories being peddled by people who have some ulterior motives. Was Okonjo-Iweala not heading the Economic Team under Obasanjo? It wasn’t the VP that was the head of the Economic Team, so why should he be upset that Okonjo-Iweala is coordinating the Economic Team?

“Look, I think for the first time, we have a President who is saying, ‘Let the ministers play their part in the governance of this country.’ By the way, what are they going to see the President for? If he is going to attend to all the ministers the way they want it, how is he going to govern the country?

“He has told them to award contracts which are within their reach and to bring those beyond them to the Executive Council of the Federation for deliberation. So, it is not true; things cannot continue like this,” the official said.

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Vice-President, Mallam Umar Sani, denied that Sambo expressed dissatisfaction with the role of Okonjo-Iweala as a coordinating minister.

Sani said, “The Vice-President is a loyal vice-president and he has never complained to anybody.”

According to him, the President and the Vice-President are members of the Economic Team. He explained that the finance minister drove the economy, adding that Jonathan and Sambo were working for the progress of the country.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201110158594740

The ministers should resign or is it by force to be in government?

- The citizens hate the woman . . . .
- The ministers hate the woman. . . . .
- The VP hates the woman. . . . . . .


What more will it take before this woman does the honourable thing and resigns?

Sun of god:

]
He said the President believed that ministers should be allowed to preside effectively over the affairs of their ministries, rather being made to seek the approval of the President on every minor issue in the respective ministries they run.

The official stated that the FEC members were however happy with the President for giving them a free hand to award contracts within the limits provided for in the constitution.

“Who is saying so? But even you know that these are stories being peddled by people who have some ulterior motives. Was Okonjo-Iweala not heading the Economic Team under Obasanjo? It wasn’t the VP that was the head of the Economic Team, so why should he be upset that Okonjo-Iweala is coordinating the Economic Team?

“Look, I think for the first time, we have a President who is saying, ‘Let the ministers play their part in the governance of this country.’ By the way, what are they going to see the President for? If he is going to attend to all the ministers the way they want it, how is he going to govern the country?

“He has told them to award contracts which are within their reach and to bring those beyond them to the Executive Council of the Federation for deliberation. So, it is not true; things cannot continue like this,” the official said.
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201110158594740

The fruit of Iweala's ingenuity is simply begining to unfold. Last week she wisely advised that every federal bureau (NAFDAC, NDLEA, etc) should be moved out of the nations ports to improving their basic functioning. If you have ever mailed a package from overseas to Nigeria, you'll understand. The NAFDAC once intercepted an envelope with my brother's Bill of Laden and car keys with a remote fob, because they wanted to make sure "he's entitled to recieve oversea mails"

For years, contract awards have been the greatest source of corruption in Nigeria. If the presidency clearly states that ministers should follow laid down guidelines and award contracts within their scope, who will be against that

V.P Sambo is a smart man, because if Iweala succeeds, then the GEJ/Sambo administration would have succeeded, otherwise he could go to focus on the so-called economic team all he wants. Last time I checked he's an architect by training, he should be happy to have a professional work for him

Point of correction sun of god, the citizens love the finance minister. Those other lazy ministers who cannot work with her or with the president directive should go get another job. It's as simple as that.

I do not really like her but the guys should follow the instructions of the President, if they can not, let them resign.

God news, this is first hand confirmation that she is doing her job. Game over before it began for Namadi Sambo.(VP)

Last time i checked the Veep does nothing but chair meetings

he's an architect by training not a financial guru

on one hand i buy the idea you don't need to see the president to take a decision but at least they should have his number for emergency decisions

everyone should know by now that the office of the Veep is not as pivotal as that of the finance/treasury

the real reason there's an office for the Veep is simply "continuity/succession if anything goes wrong with the president" added to that is that he/she can stand in for the boss on ceremonial occasions

so he should stop ranting

The VP should know his place in the government. He can play the role of a VP when its needed. He has no business dealing with any finance or treasury team and from what we know he is an Architect so what does he know? Its quite immature of him to even voice his displeasure. If he cares about the country he will simply step out the way and allow the President to do what is right. The job of the VP is to support the President and take over when the President is no longer available. It seems the man is on some ego-trip.

They should stop the rumblings its Gej govt and its his name that history wij mention,if they are not happy they should resign

VP is a useless post historically and Precedentedly, even in the USA, they are just a spear tyre. I remember Jonthan's first public engagement, I think it was under 20 or is it 17 world cup final in Abuja in Oct or Nov 09, when I SAW him I said to myself where the hell has this man been. Sambo accepted the job knowing the limitations and chores, basically that job is a non-job except the President wants you to be seen and heard. He should just hold his side and be obedient, otherwise whoever the President endorses from the North would be the next President and nothing the VP can do about it.

If I were the VP, I keep my trap shut. Let Ngozi carry go joor.

liesssssss

Okonji Iweala is over-rated. She is an agent of world bank and IMF. The enemies of progress are encouraging Sanusi to deplete our dollar reserves, so that it will create an opportunity to ask for loan from her Masters in the west. At the end of the day, GEJ will bear the brunt because the economy will be very weak.

GEJ should be very careful, there are a lot of people working against him to discredit him and pretending they are working for him. As it appears, it seems GEJ doesn't know much about economics.

This is how the seed of disharmony is sown; select the right targets (here the VP and Finance minister) then start a whisper campaign (this unverified report from The Punch) now watch it grow. Since Nigerians love sensations whether true or not, this story will keep appearing in different forms till the truth puts and end to it. Just you watch!

It is now obvious that our V.P is an illiterate nama!, How can an educated man not know his own duty?, what concerns the VP and the financial aspect? It pains me that ppl like this still breathe. For Christ sake this man does not know anything about government or administrational stuffs, I even doubt if he can build a kiosk yet he call himself an architect.

interesting

Fresh Air

Bawss1:

This is how the seed of disharmony is sown; select the right targets (here the VP and Finance minister) then start a whisper campaign (this unverified report from The Punch) now watch it grow. Since Nigerians love sensations whether true or not, this story will keep appearing in different forms till the truth puts and end to it. Just you watch!

Have you forgotten that some Niger deltans also complained of Jonathan's redundancy when Yardua was still alive ? It's a simple fact.VPs are always spare tyres who know just a little going about many issues and this one unfolding to the public is one among others.It's better to be third than second cuz second are always a threat to first !

mercenaryx:

It is now obvious that our V.P is an illiterate nama!, How can an educated man not know his own duty?, what concerns the VP and the financial aspect? It pains me that ppl like this still breathe. For Christ sake this man does not know anything about government or administrational stuffs, I even doubt if he can build a kiosk yet he call himself an architect.

Logically,you are saying jonathan knows everything about government and administrative stuff and can take care of animals because he read zoology ? Nawao

Mr--Why:

Okonji Iweala is over-rated. She is an agent of world bank and IMF. The enemies of progress are encouraging Sanusi to deplete our dollar reserves, so that it will create an opportunity to ask for loan from her Masters in the west. At the end of the day, GEJ will bear the brunt because the economy will be very weak.

GEJ should be very careful, there are a lot of people working against him to discredit him and pretending they are working for him. As it appears, it seems GEJ doesn't know much about economics.

I guess you are right; the West is forcing all these Bretton Wood puppets on Africa to do their bidding. Name them: Mustapha Abdul Jalil - Libya NTC leader (harvard economist)
Allasane Ouattara - Ivory Coast former IMF Deputy Director
Okonjo Iweala - World Bank Nigeria.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Liberia (Harvard Economist)

Their theories have never helped Africa, the most successful country in Africa, Ghadafis Libya never took a loan nor adopted IMF/World BAnk austerity measures.
South Africa and the BRICS have abandoned IMF/World BAnk.
All that Iweala has to offer is advice GEJ to remove fuel subsidy and devalue the Naira.
Let her go back to World Bank and mange Europes collapsing economies, that woman may run down GEJ if he doesnt listen to the Nigerian people

mercenaryx:

It is now obvious that our V.P is an illiterate nama!, How can an educated man not know his own duty?, what concerns the VP and the financial aspect? It pains me that ppl like this still breathe. For Christ sake this man does not know anything about government or administrational stuffs, I even doubt if he can build a kiosk yet he call himself an architect.

I wonder between you and him who is more illiterate. You must have written this with a bottle of Gulder in one hand and typing with one finger stained by oil from point and kill fish.

[size=18pt]

Mr VP you are meant to be redudant that is what VP is about!!!! abi , see me see trouble oh [/size]

The VP has a lot of work to do as head of the electric power board. Nigerians are wating for him to deliver on power shikena. Okonjo na moimoi issue for him side.

Spare Tyre

KnowAll:

[size=18pt]

Mr VP you are meant to be redudant that is what VP is about!!!! abi , see me see trouble oh [/size]

But Atiku get levels pass obj between 1999- 2003 ? Or na because baba just come from ''big boys city'' ?

I have grave doubts that the President will allow a rift with Sambo to develop over the lady. I also know that her role must have been discussed before she was appointed.

KnowAll:

[size=18pt]

Mr VP you are meant to be redudant that is what VP is about!!!! abi , see me see trouble oh [/size]

TotoSmells:

I have grave doubts that the President will allow a rift with Sambo to develop over the lady. I also know that her role must have been discussed before she was appointed.

NLERS and weird usernames,which one be totosmells again ? Lmao

What was d v.p thinking when he gave up being a state governour to accept being a v.p? He should get a pair of d 1999 constitution and find out what d role of a v.p is! Outside being a spare tire 2d president he has no role to play except d ones delegated to him by d president. Hope he is nt getting too ambitious, atiku is a case study 4him to reflect upon.

byrron:

What was d v.p thinking when he gave up being a state governour to accept being a v.p? He should get a pair of d 1999 constitution and find out what d role of a v.p is! Outside being a spare tire 2d president he has no role to play except d ones delegated to him by d president. Hope he is nt getting too ambitious, atiku is a case study 4him to reflect upon.

The north never knew zoning will be ignored,so he saw himself as a potential pdp presidential candidate.

^^^^

Sambo is still in line to be our next president. After GEJ's 8 years, Sambo is next, and then Yoruba since Sambo would be filling in for the Ibos in 2019

Ibos are just fooling themselves.

i dey laff o