President Jonathan Takes Action, Places Aviation Minister On "Suspension"

Following startling revelations from the National Assembly probe in the Stella Oduah saga, President Goodluck Jonathan, it appears, has finally placed the embattled Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, on what is described as a "tactical suspension", pending the submission his probe panel report.

A reliable Presidency source said Jonathan decided on the 'tactical suspension' hours before the signing of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Nigeria and Israel on Monday.

"Oduah will not be allowed to attend public functions that will have the President in attendance until the three-member committee set up to investigate the matter turns in its report."

Recall that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, George Ossi, told the House of Representatives Committee probing Stella Oduah that she led a Nigerian delegation to Israel to sign the BASA. But that did not happen as she was rendered a mere spectator.

It was the "suspension" that made Jonathan direct the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, to sign the agreement on behalf of Nigeria instead of the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah.

In what seemed a corroboration of the "tactical suspension", the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, insisted that Jonathan would not associate with or shield anybody found to be corrupt. He told Punch that Stella Oduah is not even part of Jonathan's delegates.

"Did you see them (Jonathan and the minister) together in Israel? The President will not associate or shield anybody found to be corrupt," Gulak said.Meanwhile, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party said on Tuesday that it was worried by the bullet-proof car scandal. Surprisingly, PDP assured Nigerians that whoever was found culpable would face the law because it (PDP) would never condone any form of graft.