Anxiety in cabinet as
Jonathan shifts FEC. meeting
by four hours. There was anxiety
yesterday among Ministers
following a curious notice
from the Acting President, Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan,shifting
tomorrow’s meeting of the
Federal Executive Council
forward by four hours.
Investigation by The Nation
revealed that the notice
which came from the
Secretary to the Government
of the Federation, Alhaji
Mahmud Yayale Ahmed was
dated March 8. According to
findings, the notice indicated
that the meeting which ought
to start by 10am would now
hold by 2pm .
It was learnt that the shift is
occasioned by some high-
level meetings that would
precede the FEC session.
But Yayale was not
forthcoming on the nature of
the high-level meetings that
would delay the meeting.
A highly-placed source said:
"The meeting of FEC for this
week (Wednesday, March 10,
2010) has been moved to
2pm from the usual 10am.
"The reason is due to the
high-level meetings by the
Acting President expected to
hold in the morning of that
day.
"Most of us have been eager
to know the crucial meetings
that might shift the FEC
session forward.
"We learnt that the outcome
of the high-level meetings
might be an issue before the
Executive Council.
"Whatever is the
development, we will know on
Wednesday."
It was gathered that the shift
notice has made Ministers to
become jittery following
rumours on alleged plans to
swap their portfolios for
better service delivery.
It was learnt that the target-
inclined Ministries that
Jonathan might pay attention
to are Power, Works,
Petroleum Resources, Niger
Delta Affairs, Aviation,
Agriculture and Water
Resources, FCT, Finance,
Health, Police and Defence,
and Education.
It was learnt that the need to
take stock before swapping
Ministers accounted for the
inauguration of 18-man
Presidential Projects
Assessment Committee.
Although some loyalists of
President Umaru Yar’Adua
holding juicy portfolios are
alleging that the Project
Assessment Exercise has
political undertone, a highly-
placed source added that the
Acting President meant well
to ensure judicious use of
resources.
A Minister, who confirmed
receipt of the notice from the
SGF, said: "It is unusual but it
is better than getting to the
Council Chamber by 10am and
be in suspense for hours.
" I won’t go into the realm of
assumption but I think the
Acting President’s schedule
is a bit tight for that day. Let
us wait and see."
Another cabinet source said:
"I found the shift curious but
I think the notice is a normal
administrative procedure."

it's imperative. lol