Posted by By AUGUSTINE AVWODE, Lagos on
Even as speculations continue to trail the resignation of Maj. Gen Abudullahi Mohammed, former Chief of Staff to President Umaru Yar'Adua, Sunday Sun can authoritatively reveal that, left for the president, Mohammed would still be occupying his seat in Aso Rock.
Even as speculations continue to trail the resignation of Maj. Gen Abudullahi Mohammed, former Chief of Staff to President Umaru Yar'Adua, Sunday Sun can authoritatively reveal that, left for the president, Mohammed would still be occupying his seat in Aso Rock.
The president, a very reliable source said, personally went to the house of the retired military tactician and tried to persuade him to drop the idea of resigning his position now. But it was obvious that Mohammed's mind was made up and the president wished him well and reluctantly agreed to let him go.
According to our source, 'Far from the insinuation that the man was fired, the truth is that he had made two attempts in the past to go and each time, he had been prevailed upon to stay. But this time, the president had to give in to his request right there in the man's house.
The president drove there in the night and begged him to continue to stay on, but when it was obvious that he could not persuade him, he wished him well in all his future endeavours and expressed gratitude for all he has done in the administration. So all the talk of he was fired and all is not correct", the source stated.
The news of the resignation of Mohammed, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday ecilited speculations that he was sacked and it was a prelude to the purging of the administration of elements considered vestiges of the former president.
A little over a week ago, Senator Florence Ita -Giwa, who also served under Obasanjo as Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly, and was also retained by Yar'Adua, was sacked and replaced.
Though no official explanation was given for Mohammed's resignation, a terse statement from the presidency, in accepting his resignation, thanked him for his immense contribution to the administration.
Mohammed's resignation takes effect from today. He is to be replaced by Senior Special Assistant to the President (Political), Dr Gbolade Oshinowo, albeit in an acting capacity. He, too, served in the administration of Obassanjo.