The supposedly serene abode for a presidential retreat became a rallying point of sorts for political jobbers, party big-wigs, top government officials and lobbyists who all had a common goal: cause Jonathan to do their respective biddings in reconstituting his cabinet and other likely appointments. But back in Abuja, there was a different scenario playing out over the alleged N40 billion graft for which Bankole and Nafada are now being prosecuted. They may not be alone though. There were indications at press time weekend, that some other lawmakers in the 2007-2011 class of the National Assembly members may be subpoenaed by the court on the matter. Thus, since Jonathan returned to work till date, the state of affairs inside the federal legislature has been his major worry. From the snubbing of his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s position on who were to be the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to the “embarrassment” associated with the Bankole-Nafada saga, there has been no respite for Jonathan.
Subtle blackmail?


The calmness and equanimity with which the president has so far managed the developments may have made him stretch these major attributes of his beyond breaking point. But close watchers of happenings inside Aso Rock swear that the presidency senses a subtle electioneering campaigns. However, the blackmail in the disposition of members of the National Assembly to the president’s wish to get needed foot soldiers to drive his transformation agenda on their respective beats. Their reason is not far-fetched. Unlike other instances where the National Assembly had had to reconvene to consider matters of urgent national import, including screening of some presidential nominees in the past, “there appears to be a calculated move to get the president to step into the EFCC hold on Bankole and the others that are likely to follow in turn before any reconvening of the National Assembly for the consideration of the ministerial list on which more than 90 per cent of the work has been completed,” volunteered one source.
On the nature of presidential intervention expected from Jonathan, it was gathered that, “any meaningful measure of soft-landing that will save the former Speaker and his deputy as well as others likely to be invited for evidence, and as witnesses by the court on the matter, is what they are mooting.” One source who said the presidency frowned at the obvious blackmail implied by the federal legislators, condemned the foot-dragging by the lawmakers, “at least, to work on the ministerial list,” adding that “the situation in the PDP too, does not help matters.” FRESHFACTS also learnt that party leaders who have access to the president were trying to get the leaders of the two Houses of the National Assembly to see reason why the president’s programmes must not be sacrificed because some former, and perhaps, current leaders of the House of Representatives are facing court prosecution over alleged graft. Said a national leader of PDP, “we are still bugged down by the problem of knowing why Tambuwal and Ihedioha were preferred by our Reps to our party’s own candidates, and they are trying to blackmail the president to intervene in Bankole’s case before they can reconvene. Can you imagine the blackmail? Can’t the Senate alone reconvene to consider the ministerial list so that the president’s work can go on? Must the two Houses resume the same day?” Questions, many questions. Grinding to a halt
One foreign media reported last week that, the president may not have made up his mind on key appointees like his Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary and Spokesman. “We hear he is still contemplating on whether to scrap the office of the Principal Secretary and create the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff as replacement. The speculations are just unending,” the report stated. “Some stakeholders have tied the president’s slow pace in making his ministerial nominees public to his indecision on who to assign ministries like Petroleum, Education, Defence, Works and Health amongst others, while some have linked the delay to pressures from influential persons wanting their candidates on the ministerial ticket. “One top government aide, who asked not to be named, blamed the delay on the three weeks recess taken by federal legislators,” the report concluded. Although permanent secretaries in the various ministries were authorised to manage the affairs of their respective ministries pending the appointment and resumption of duty of the next set of ministers, there are now a lot of misgivings on the part of people who have businesses to conduct in the ministries. Stakeholders too, complain openly of frustrations in dealing with civil servants whose apron strings are practically tied to some bureaucracy and General Orders known only to them.
FRESHFACTS observed such frustrations displayed by some stakeholders last week inside the federal secretariat on Shehu Shagari highway, Abuja. Driving out of the parking lot in anger, one prominent contractor spoke unprintable words about some persons whose names he did not mention. He spoke of how they have stalled his bid to move his “papers” for the job; adding that the persons kept telling him to “come today, come tomorrow.” The development above has been the hallmark of how government business is being conducted these days. With reluctant, and allegedly arrogant permanent secretaries hardly on seat, the business is left at the mercy of junior ministry officials who hardly know what to do, and neither can they take any decision. But amidst the foregoing, some former ministers were reportedly, still performing their duties discreetly though. “We don’t know who is really in-charge in our ministries as some former Ministers are still performing Ministerial duties discreetly even though they were relieved of their appointments when the cabinet was dissolved,” lamented one civil servant to some journalists last week In this respect, a former minister who resides in the FCT is said to be still signing off important documents which are backdated, while others still being consulted on key day-to-day issues since their respective tenures lapsed. Rising expectation
Just before press time weekend, expectations were high that there was a likely thaw in the stalemate between the presidency and the National Assembly with respect to reconvening the Senate session for the ministerial nominees’ screening. “But that will depend on how PDP is able to calm frayed nerves and re-assure all parties that the family remains one,” said the PDP national officer. Media reports the next day gave credence to the rising expectation, as some former ministers were said to have had their names forwarded to relevant security organisations for screening. According to one account, “President Goodluck Jonathan is worried over his inability to constitute his cabinet, three weeks after he was sworn in as the 14th head of government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To this end, Jonathan has reached out to the leadership of the Senate, who are currently on a three weeks recess, to reconvene and commence screening of the ministerial nominees. In the same vein, the rather cautious president may have decided to retain some of his old ministers in order to ensure continuity. To this end, names of eleven former ministers were said to have been forwarded for screening by state security service (SSS). According to SSS sources, those who honoured the SSS invitation for screening, include:
•Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (Former Minister of Petroleum)
•Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd); (Former Minister of State for FCT)
•Elder Godsday Orubebe (Former Minister of the Niger Delta)
•Senator Bala Mohammed (Former Minister of FCT)
•Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (Former Minister of Defence)
•Professor Ruqqayatu Rufa’i (Former Minister of Education)
•Adoke Mohammed (Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice,)
•Chief Emeka Wogu (Former Minister of Labour)
•Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu.  (Former Minister of Health)
•Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji(Special Adviser on power


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