The development came to the fore with the last-minute decision to stop Oduah from signing the much-publicised Bilateral Air Services Agreement with Israel.
The ceremony was given by Presidency officials as the main purpose of her inclusion in the President's entourage to Israel for this year's Christian pilgrimage.
In her stead, Minister of State I, Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government while the Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Zeer Elkin, signed on behalf of the Israeli government.
Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, after releasing a photograph on Monday on the signing ceremony, issued a statement in which he confirmed that Onwuliri signed on behalf of the government.
Abati did not however explain why Oduah was not allowed to sign the agreement despite the fact that the photograph released by her aides showed that she was present at the event.
The President had come under criticisms for allowing the minister to be on his entourage at a time he set up a three-member panel to investigate the purchase of the cars.
A top Presidency source on the entourage of the President in Israel told our correspondent on the telephone that the decision to stop Oduah from signing the agreement was taken shortly after Jonathan arrived in Israel.
That same reason, he added, informed the decision of the President's aides to keep the minister away from the President since their arrival in the country.
The Special Adviser on Media to Oduah, Mr. Joe Obi, had on October 22 said in statement that the minister travelled to Israel to sign the pact. Two days after, the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mr. George Ossi, told the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation that Oduah could not appear before it because she "was leading the Nigerian delegation to Israel to sign the BASA."
A former Minister of Aviation, Mr.Femi Fani-Kayode, who shed light on the development, said Jonathan must have prevented her from signing the BASA because of the situation she was in.
He said, "BASA is supposed to be signed by the aviation minister or she could delegate it to the permanent secretary in the ministry. The agreement has nothing to do with the Foreign Affairs Ministry. I signed quite a few during my tenure Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Good for her. I hope the president will deal with her all the way, and dismiss her from that office. She has no shame.
ReplyDeleteSh's innocent,smone bought car for her. Wot concerns her in it. Dis is all political gimmicks to remove n discredit her 4 all d gd things sh's doin in Aviation sector. Dis is wot dey did in Power sector n remove d former Minister of Power who performed vry well. God help Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteShe's not innocent my broda or sista.She twisted their arms to buy the car for her.dats what ministers ãήϑ board chairmen do when they are first appointed.Don't get it twisted.
ReplyDeleteBut wonders never cease to end!!!!! With ALL the money she is making from Oil & Gas!!!!!, see d "little change" that has gotten her into a big mess!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGEJ's problem is indecision, y shud he go to lsreal wit Oduah in the first place. He took her there to insult her or is she there as an ordinary nigerian and not Aviation minister. Bad of him to have denied her the signing of the agreement all cos of gift nd fruitless comments. Nawaooooo nija.
ReplyDeleteHello all, why would the minster travel to Isreal, knowing fully well she have case to anaswer., that act shows she is guilty of sort. One should have expected her to be out spoken and stay to defend herself from the allegation brought against her b4 travellong for the pilgrimage . My advice to Mr. President is that he should cut down the cost of governornance from the executive down to the local government councilor. And plough into educational sector , thereby reducing rush political position. Send as a proposal to the national assembly to scale through reading of the house . Thank you. As for the minister let the panel that had been set up decide her fate. Via justice and equity.. Goodluck Nigeria. And God Nigeria. Amen!
ReplyDeleteLet us support the national conference
ReplyDelete