Embattled Aviation Minister, Princess
Stella Oduah, will not be taking part in the historic signing of the Bilateral
Air Services Agreement, BASA, with Israel today, Vanguard investigation has
confirmed.
Oduah, who had left Nigeria for
Israel ahead of Jonathan, is facing a twin-prong probe from the Presidency and
the House of Representatives over her role in the acquisition of two overpriced
armoured car valued at N225 million.
Oduah is said to have gone to Israel
with the hope that she could use the opportunity of the visit to explain her
position on the controversial car deal to Mr. President and take part in
sealing the air deal with the country.
Competent sources said that the
President had not given the minister any opportunity to discuss the issue with
him since his arrival in the Holy Land last Wednesday.
The source explained that the
Nigerian leader decided to keep the minister out of the signing ceremony
because he did not want his visit to be overshadowed by the controversy
surrounding Oduah.
One source said last night that it
was in a bid to keep the minister away from the limelight that she was not
given any visibility since Jonathan arrived in the country.
Competent Presidency sources told
Vanguard that President Goodluck Jonathan was uncomfortable with the public
outrage arising from Oduahgate and would not want to be seen as condoning
corruption with the embattled minister on his side.
One source said: “The President is
mindful of the fact that he has to project Nigeria as a country, which does not
condone any form of graft and will not bring a tainted official of his
administration to Tel Aviv for a serious event as the BASA signing ceremony.
“Before leaving for the Holy Land,
the President had made it clear that the circumstances surrounding the purchase
of the two armoured cars for the minister must be thoroughly investigated and a
detailed report made for him to assure Nigerians and the international
community that he does not tolerate any form of financial impropriety.”
The Oduahgate has split both the
Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council given the prime
position of the minister in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Both groups are divided on whether
Jonathan should offload her from the administration or allow her to remain with
the scandal triggered by the car deal imbroglio.
Sources said many ministers, who are
apparently fed up with Oduah, are pushing for her removal from the cabinet,
while those in her support think otherwise, blaming political enemies for her
ordeal.
Tags
Politics
What is the difference between GEJ and Stella Oduah.They are both stealing public funds at will.GEJ has refused to implement the Niger Delta Master plan,instead,Abuja master plan is going on.Just watch,he will be the one to cry out loud at last.
ReplyDeleteShe should tell Nigerians of what relevance are those cars to our Economy, Even when some sectors of the Economy are in declining state. She is a waster of resources and so she can't represant the country well.
ReplyDeletePls leave GEJ out of all these matters.What has this man done to be constantly abused.Trying to bring. Constant light in Nig,signing a lot of bilateral agreements,upgrading Enugu and Asaba. Airport to Intl stanard,ended fuel scarcity,Singlehandedly fighting terrorism without US support,competitive telecom(u can now Port) maintenance of 3rd mainland bridge and lots more.God will punish all of u trying to tanish the image of this man unjustly.What ve u contributed to Nig?
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