Posted by By Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa on
The presidency may have had a hand in Monday's sacking of the Bayelsa State Executive Council by Governor Goodluck Jonathan.
The presidency may have had a hand in Monday's sacking of the Bayelsa State Executive Council by Governor Goodluck Jonathan.
Daily Sun learnt that the governor, who had earlier promised to retain the cabinet he inherited from his disgraced former boss, Dipreye Alamieyeseigha was pressured by the presidency to pick a new team that would be loyal to him and ensure the success of his administration.
Jonathan had dissolved the state executive council, just as the newly appointed deputy governor, Hon Peremobowei Ebebi assumed office after the traditional oath.
The decision to sack the executive council which Dr Jonathan inherited from impeached Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, according to Daily Sun investigations, was taken in Ota last week when the governor visited President Olusegun Obasanjo. It was to be effected last Friday but was put on hold till Monday as the state Chief Judge, Hon Justice Emmanuel Igoniwari was indisposed.
A special government announcement, signed by the Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ekiyor Welson, said the dissolution which takes immediate effect, affects the Secretary to the State Government, all special advisers and the 24 caretaker committees of the 24 development centres.
The five-paragraph statement directed commissioners to hand over to their permanent secretaries while the council chairmen were asked to hand over to their heads of personnel management with immediate effect.
The dissolution of the executive council, it was gathered, is the first major step in a grand restructuring to be carried out by the Jonathan administration.
Already, three candidates are being screened to take over from the Accountant- General, Elder Stephen Enamamu, while the House of Assembly would soon commence the screening of nominees penciled down for commissionership.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jonathan who, during the swearing-in ceremony of the deputy governor disclosed that he faced intense pressure on the choice of deputy governor because of the enormous responsibility of the office, gave insight into what gave Ebebi edge over other nominees.
According to him, "it is a mark of your commitment to duty, your go-getting spirit and your tendency to remain steadfast in the face of daunting challenges that you are stepping into this vital position ahead of other nominees."
While tasking Ebebi to disabuse the thinking that politicians sacrifice performance on the altar of varied interests, he enjoined that he should realize that "there is work after being sworn in," adding that "being in authority is only a means to an end. The end product itself is service to the people".
Jonathan advised the new deputy governor that "rather than dispense political patronage that is less gratifying in the long run, I advise you to pay more attention to development policies and programmes that would benefit our people at large."
He promised Ebebi that having been once deputy governor for six years and knowing all the "frustrations, limitations and dilemmas of that office," he was going to enthrone a conducive environment for him to function properly.
He added that his transition from the legislative arm of government was expected to serve the government better in its task of putting the state in fast lane of development.
"This administration has come to a point where we cannot toy with the welfare of our people. We have come to a defining moment when our plans and programmes must be seen in concrete terms and not just as prospects. The time has come for our programmes to advertise our serious commitment to realize the Bayelsa dream," Dr. Jonathan stressed.
Ebebi, in his remarks, pledged his loyalty to the government, adding that the charge of the governor was clear.
He also warned peddlers of rumours to desist from distracting the government because what they need now is prayer.