President dissolves PAC, rules out ‘slim’ cabinet

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally dissolved the Presidential Advisory Council as he gets set to commence a four-year term in office on May 29.
He held farewell talks with members of PAC immediately after the Federal Executive Council meeting in the State House, Abuja on Wednesday.
PAC members arrived at the State House in a white Coaster Bus bearing State House plate numbers just as the FEC meeting was about to end.
The group, led by Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), thereafter, filed into the Council Chambers for the “farewell meeting” with the President, who was in company with Vice-President Namadi Sambo.
But our correspondent learnt that during the meeting, which lasted barely half an hour, Jonathan and PAC members differed on the size of the new federal cabinet.
While PAC members were said to have reiterated their call on Jonathan to trim the size of his cabinet by prunning the number of ministries, departments and agencies, the President cited constitutional provision as a hindrance to a ‘slim’ FEC.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Danjuma pointed out that since Jonathan was “diligent” in selecting members of PAC, he needed do the same in selecting those who will work with him in the next dispensation.
Pointing out that “a leader is as good as those around him,” he drew Jonathan’s attention to the fact that there were many good hands in the country.
To ensure that he appointed the right people, PAC chairman specifically advised Jonathan to cast his “net far and wide.”
The Minister Information and Communication, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed these while addressing journalists after the meeting.
He added that PAC congratulated Jonathan on his victory at the just concluded presidential election and also thanked him for giving them the opportunity to serve.
In his response to PAC’s call for a “slim cabinet,” Jonathan explained that he would stick to the constitutional provision which stipulates that each of the 36 states of the federation must produce at least one minister.
He added that his personal preferences tilted towards a ‘slim’and highly efficient cabinet, which, due to the extant constitutional provisions, was virtually impossible.
“Your suggestion for a smaller cabinet is excellent and I agree with you, but this cannot be achieved without constitutional amendment,” Jonathan told the group.
The President, however, said the suggestions and advice which PAC offered to the government played a key role in stabilising his administration.
Jonathan assured that the council’s final report would form part of the policy direction of his government and thanked the members for accepting to serve the nation.
He told them that his government would continue to tap from their wealth of experience in the years ahead.
The President also noted that PAC’s policy recommendations would form a major item on the agenda of a retreat he would hold with the next cabinet, immediately after its inauguration.
Jonathan further informed PAC that some of its recommendations would require legislative adjustments before they could be implemented.
The President had established the 26-member PAC to advise him on a wide range of national issues and recommend actions that could improve the credibility and performance of the government.
During the period when PAC gave the President maximum support, the group grew in influence, to the extent that it was seen as Jonathan’s “real cabinet.”
At that point, ministers and other FEC members were made to study PAC’s recommendations.
But the relationship thawed when PAC reportedly opposed Jonathan’s plan to run for the Presidency. The President’s action reportedly made a member of the council, Mrs. Mariam Uwais, to resign.
The seeming rift between the council and the Presidency came to a head when on the presentation of its final report on January 20, 2011, PAC said Jonathan’s cabinet should be reduced to address the escalating rise in the cost of governance.
Danjuma informed journalists that in the report, which was presented to Jonathan at a closed-door meeting, the council registered its displeasure with some other issues.
Apart from Danjuma, other members of the council are Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Mr. Fola Adeola; Mallam Abubakar Gimba, Mr. Basil Omiyi, Alhaji M. D. Yusuf, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Mr. G. B. Preware, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Mr. Kase Lawal and Mallam Muhammed Hayatuddeen,
Others are Justice Alfa Belgore, Chief Chibudom Nwuche, Mrs. Mobola Johnson, Hajiya Halita Aliyu, Alhaji Magaji Danbatta, Prof. B. G. Bajoga, Dr. Sally Bolujoko, Chief Kanu Agabi, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, Alhaji Ismaila Isa, Prof. Shehu Sarinwata, Dr. Simon Okolo and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.
By Ihuoma Chiedozie            Courtesy Of: Punch