ENCOURAGED by the no-nonsense posture of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, some interest groups from strategic quarters in Nigeria have started mounting pressure on him to purge the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of corrupt members.

Some leaders of thought drawn from across the federation, as well as representatives of Pro- Yar’Adua/Jonathan support groups, were part of the interest groups who, investigations revealed, had been pressu-rising the acting president in the past two days to effect a major cabinet shakeup, at least, in the interest of the nation.

Besides, some aggrieved civil servants, Nigerian Tribune learnt, had been compiling reports of corruption allegedly perpetrated by some ministers during the absence of ailing President Yar’Adua.

The groups pushing for a major cabinet shakeup, according to findings, had stormed the Presidential Villa on the day Jonathan took power as acting president and had used the historic occasion to suggest to him the necessity to rid the current government of ministers perceived to have been exceedingly corrupt.

A top civil servant, in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, described some of the current cabinet members as mindless in the manner they had been amassing wealth, as he hinted that some of his colleagues across ministries had resolved to intimate the acting president that the ministers were corrupt.

He also said the reports being compiled on corrupt ministers would not be sent to any of the anti-graft agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on the excuse that the calibre of individuals involved would hamstring the efforts of the agencies in moving against them.

According to him, it was imperative for the acting president to get first hand information on how the activities of the ministers, so that Jonathan would be able to decide whether or not they should be prosecuted.

The top civil servant said the memos so compiled against the corrupt government officials might be routed through competent civil society groups known with anti-corruption disposition in order to effect great impact.

On assumption of office, the acting president effected a minor cabinet shakeup. The mild cabinet reshuffle had, since, been applauded in different circles in the country.
Daunting challenges ahead

Acting President Jonathan has said there are daunting challenges ahead of the country, but expressed his determination to ensure that the nation surmounts them.

He said this on Thursday, when he received members of the Senate leadership, led by its president, David Mark, at his official residence in Aguda House, Abuja.

Jonathan thanked mem-bers of the National Assembly for their courage in moving the nation forward, in spite of the heated debate occasioned by the absence of Yar’Adua, while assuring them of a harmonious working relationship.

According to him, the business of governance was collective and all arms of government must work together in the interest of the nation and within the ambit of the doctrine of separation of powers.

The acting president also told the Senate leadership to expect executive correspondence shortly, while he urged all Nigerians not to relent in praying for the quick recovery of President Yar’Adua.

Earlier, Senator Mark congratulated Acting Pres-ident Jonathan on behalf of the Senate and pledged the cooperation of the upper chamber to him.

Mark prayed God to give the acting president the courage and wisdom to lead the country in the right direction.

Senator Mark was accompanied by his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; Chief Whip, Senator Mahmud Kanti Bello; Minority Leader, Senator Maina Maaji Lawan; Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Minority Whip, Senator Ahmed Yerima; Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Mohammed Mana and Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Acting President Jonathan swore in 17 newly-appointed permanent secretaries and charged them to live above board and uphold zero tolerance for corruption, which, he said, was the guiding principle of the administration.

The swearing-in was held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he admonished them to bring their experiences to bear in all aspects of duties and accept responsibility always, as accounting officers of ministries, departments and agencies of government.

While advising that all necessary actions must be taken to ensure good working relations with ministries that had more than one minister and avoid being agents of division and rancour, Dr Jonathan charged them to give their ministers the required cooperation and support to ensure smooth and effective running of government.

“I have no doubt, therefore, about your competence and readiness to satisfactorily hold the office. It is a privilege for you to be called to service at this time as we go into the crucial last lap of this administration. You are expected to bring your experiences to bear in all aspects of your duties and prepare to accept responsibility always,” he said.

Acting President Jonathan congratulated the new permanent secretaries who scaled through what he called a rigorous process of selection aimed at ensuring that only capable and qualified persons emerged.

The new permanent secretaries are Faruk Baba; Sheik Musa; Awosika Josephine; Mohammed Lawal and Wiloughby Olukorede.

Others are Odusote Abimbola; Mohammed Sambo; Aliyu Gusau; Daudu Jalo; Olorunfemi Nathaniel and Ibrahim Gaya.


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