The embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, has commenced last- ditch efforts to save her job.
Sources revealed that she had used the last few days seeking private audience with President Goodluck Jonathan.
On Friday for instance, she was sighted at the Presidential Villa in Abuja as calls by groups for her removal over the purchase of two BMW bulletproof cars for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation authority heightened.
The NCAA spent a whopping $1.6m(N225m) on the two cars which market value is N36m each.
A very reliable Presidency source, who disclosed Oduah’s visit to the Villa, said she “wanted to explain herself to the President, who like every Nigerian, was embarrassed by the media reports and the evidence of the purchase of the two cars at an outrageous sum of N225m.”
The source said, “She was here (Villa) on Friday but like you know, Mr. President was busy throughout the weekend.”
When asked if Oduah eventually saw Jonathan, he replied, “I cannot tell for sure if the minister who looked worried saw him or not.”
However, the source dismissed speculations that Oduah, who is to appear before the Senate this week over the crisis facing the Aviation industry, was at the Villa to beg the President to prevent possible sanctions.
He stated that should she decide to beg, she would most likely reach out to highly placed Nigerians who have the ears of the President.
The source mentioned the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih; former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, as such prominent Nigerians.
Our correspondents gathered that apart from the calls from outside government circle for her sacking, some of her colleagues are believed to be telling people close to her to advise her to voluntarily quit in order to save the Jonathan administration further embarrassment.
A female minister is said to be leading the campaign as she sees this as an opportunity to get even with Oduah.
It was learnt that a female minister, who allegedly bought a private jet, has been angry that Oduah was the prime suspect in an embarrassing publication involving the leasing of the jet at outrageous sums per trips made by top government officials.
Investigations also revealed that the release of the documents on the purchase of the two vehicles was likely the fallout of infighting among female ministers in the President’s cabinet.
Meanwhile, strong indications emerged on Sunday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission may probe the bulletproof car scandal.
A source at the EFCC said the scandal came as a shock to most of his colleagues.
The source said, “Like you and all other Nigerians, it is natural that all of us are shocked by what happened. I think you should hold it there until events unfold.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, had in an interview with one of our correspondents, assured Nigerians that the President would not shield the minister if found culpable.
He had said, “I can assure you that President Jonathan will not shield the minister or any government official for that matter if he receives information that is true.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Oduah is expected to appear before the Senate as the Senate resumes plenary on Tuesday.
The Senate had summoned her and heads of parastatals under the Aviation ministry over the air accidents in the country.
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ReplyDeleteIbos in leadership should not be trusted. They all crooks and thieves !
ReplyDeleteSee this thief o ! Lols
ReplyDeleteNigerians and begging. Why can't she just step down in a dignified manner rather than begging shamelessly. Another thing she can do is simply sell those cars and use the money to start repairing those old airplanes and the leaking roofs in the airports. Why beg? Just do the right thing.!!
ReplyDeleteShe must be one of president Jonathan slot-ass madams
ReplyDeletethe anonymous 10:47, shut up your mouth for calling Igbos crook. A tribal jingoist like you. People like you are the problems of this country. A criminal minded person can come from any tribe. what of Iboris, Bankoles, Tafa Baloguns, patricia Etes, Alames, etc. I am sure these people are not Igbos.
ReplyDeleteDo pple think Jonathan will ever take action?. They are all birds of the same feather,thieves. When d citizens are crying to get 3 square meal on table. They are busy syphoning the nations wealths. Accumulating what their great-great grandchildren wount even b able to finish using.
ReplyDeleteI still cannot understand why this woman has not tender her resignation. I laughed when I learnt they are looking for the whistle blower! Just read in daily trust that it's the same minister that reused and or frustrated efforts of EMIRATES! QATAR! ETHIAD and TURKISH airlines from flying into Kano airport. Madam are u doing our country any good at all? Pls TENDER YR RESIGNATION WITHIN 72 HTRS OR YR PRIDE WILL CRASH. Your tenure is a disgrace to this govt and a disappointment to womanhood. ODUA MUST GO!!!!!!!!M!!M
ReplyDeleteIn Nigeria nothing is so embarrasing as to cause one to resign. They will look for a plausible explanation, no matter how rudiculous it is, to cover up the mess. Mr president this is the time to show you don't tolerate currupt persons who think they can play servitude to you and enrich themselves through currut means. We shall see what happens.
ReplyDeleteGEJ might nt do anything.they r stealling The money for him for 2015 election.we Naija ve our future in our hands,let us vote credible and intelligent candidates come 2015 election.
ReplyDelete|This is the hopeless minister , l,ve ever seen.She has no Aviation experince or pratical knoelrdge on how to manage people.GEJ na acara school you go, no compitent graduate has ever rule this country. We need technocrat and vibrant leadership style to move us from this drawning boat. Note that being a leader is not an opportunity to get rich..
ReplyDeleteWhat can the President do about Oduah?? Are they not bird of the same feather! Have u also forgotten that the president himself feed with 1million naira per day..??? They are all thieves trying to destroy the country. When an average Nigerian cannot afford to eat two times daily...let us kick out PDP out of this country, they are good for noting party...
ReplyDeleteNigerian eye should desist from publishing any comment that has ethnic or tribal colouration in it so that we can grow up in this country.
ReplyDeleteAll of you are shying away from the truth which is the NCAA that bought those cars for the ministry . So NCAA should be called to come and give account of how the cars were bought because they had already acknowledged that they were the office that bought the cars .If NCAA will not be called to come and give account of the purchasing of the cars then Nigerians should forget about the issue.
ReplyDeletemadam you no agree approve scholarship for Nigerian student make them go school for Nigerian College of Aviation so that you go gather the money buy comfort bullet car.The joy of it is you people can not buy heaven with money.Vanity upon vanity.hummmmm.God is watching you..
ReplyDeleteLet's see how it goes,we re watching
ReplyDeleteHow many Politicians in Nigeria resign their appointments because of scandals? I Don't know of any. You may ask why? Simple. In Nigeria, politiking is the most lucrative business enterprise. Nigerians will reconsider their faith in the present government if any positive and satisfying action is taken against the aviation Minister Stella Oduah, I doubt if this will ever be because they (PDP) all work for a common goal. In Nigeria, political criminals are rather celebrated. Secondly, the cost of the two armoured vehicles is obviously outrageous, knowing this, NCAA top officials should be made to account for the difference between the inflated value and the actual value of the vehicles, except they also paid the balance into the Minister's private bank account.
ReplyDeleteHow can aho igwe daughter dey beg so shamelessly, where is that mumu who boasted that odua is an igwe's daughter and that she has enough money on her own, that she does not need aviation money? Shame on u.
ReplyDeleteIf poor man theif, them go sentence am to many years in prison or even kill am. This minister wey theif millions still get mouth talk say she wan see president. Na wa 4 this country. Abeg Mr president, do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteHow can aho igwe daughter dey beg so shamelessly, where is that mumu who boasted that odua is an igwe's daughter and that she has enough money on her own, that she does not need aviation money? Shame on u.
ReplyDeleteThis one too muchoooooooo in Nigeria of 18,000.00 minimum wage
ReplyDelete