PERISCOPE (issues and all)

Sack fear grips OBJ boys
By Emmanuel Ogbeche For those who hold the view that former President Olusegun Obasanjo still has a stranglehold on President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, perhaps it is time for a rethink going by the rooting out of the latter’s boys from office and revocation of their rights to some choice properties allegedly obtained in questionable circumstances.Loyalists of the ex-president’s are now in panic following their purging and whittling down of their last vestiges of power and influence by the Yar’Adua’s administration. Worried by the policy reversals of the present government, foot soldiers of the last administration, our findings show, are in panic and trying to salvage what ever they can as this government is determined to work on a clean slate.As part of cleaning the Aegean stable, the Federal Government began with the sacking of the board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, headed by Obasanjo’s kinsman, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun. The sacking of the former board was hinged on the high level of corruption alleged against it.But sources close to Aso Rock said though corruption was at the root of the matter it was also part of the present administration’s resolve to purge the system of those close to the former president.Only last week, President Yar’Adua demonstrated his determination to rid the country of those that are alleged to have massively deprived the people of their commonwealth and circumvented due process in the acquisition of government’s property by revoking the sales and relieving them of their appointments.One of those hit by the policy change is Obasanjo’s former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Dr. Nnamndi (Andy) Uba. Uba is one of those who lost their choice properties, located within the Presidential Villa, in the policy reversal.According to sources, though the deposed Anambra governor made spirited attempts to see the President on the matter, it yielded no result as he was rebuffed by the protocol unit for not being on the guests list at the villa, a directive we hear was from the president himself.In a related development, the PDP National Executive Council, NEC, last week in Abuja has asked its national officers led by its chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali to vacate office to pave the way for congresses and ultimately the national convention scheduled for December 8.Unlike during the Obasanjo era Ali and the other officers would have not only been allowed to continue in office, but probably would have been returned to office depending on Obasanjo’s dictates.Announcing the decision of the NEC for the resignation of the Ali-led exco, newly appointed National Secretary and former auditor of the party, Bernard Eze noted that the members of the various organs were elected for a four-year term and that in line with section 14 of the party’s constitution which provides for resignation ahead of the congresses and convention, the leaders thought it wise to ask the affected officers to turn in their resignation letters.But inside sources say it was a move by Yar’Adua to purge the system. The sources also said that Ali had seen what was coming, hence his new singsong of praising Yar’Adua’s effort in repositioning the party.Other Obasanjo men who may soon be shown the way out include Mrs. Irene Chigbue, Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises. The grouse against her is that she was used to controversially and in a less transparent manner sell of some of the nation’s prized asset for far below market value.An indication of her out-of- favour position was her exclusion from the National Economic Intelligence Council, NEIC. Alongside the Central Bank Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, both were excluded from the council based on what one insider described “as being part of the old brigade where due process was only a cliché but not followed.”Soludo’s sin might not be unconnected with his unilateral attempt to re-denominate the Naira, the country’s currency, without the approval of the president. Though President Yar’Adua has expressed his “confidence” in the abilities of the CBN helmsman, knowledgeable sources say his days are numbered and it may not be long before he is asked to quit.This paper also learnt that Soludo may not be unmindful of this and has commenced reaching out to influential individuals and traditional institutions to help him keep his job. In a related development, it is still not yet hurray for former FCT minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai who was recently appointed into the National Energy Council by President Yar’Adua.El-Rufa’i’s house, which he acquired under President Obasanjo in controversial circumstances within the Presidential Villa is reported to be one of the houses revoked by the Federal Government.Already, several groups and persons are rooting for his removal from the council owing to what they describe as his “utter disregard for the rule of law and due process” and have queried how a government that prides itself for following laid down rules would appoint a known enemy of the law.Others have also contended that as an ally of Obasanjo, who failed to improve the energy needs of the country, it was out of place that el-Rufa’i in such a sensitive place as the Energy Council.For now, it is grey days for ex-president President Obasanjo’s boys and how they intend to weather this storm is a matter to be seen.