President Jonathan Dissolves Cabinet Today After A Valedictory Session With Ministers

Barring last minute change of plan, President Goodluck Jonathan will tomorrow dissolve his cabinet, Daily Trust has learnt.

A presidency source yesterday  said that the president would dissolve the cabinet after a valedictory session scheduled to hold inside the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Wednesday morning.

The source also confirmed that the Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting would be the last in the life of the administration of President Jonathan.

He said the president would use the opportunity to thank his cabinet members and request prayers for the country.

The valedictory council session, prayers would also be offered for the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

Jonathan, who lost the March 28 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, is scheduled to hand over the affairs of the country to Buhari on May 29.

A member of Jonathan’s kitchen cabinet also said yesterday that all the ministers had received letters from the president since Friday thanking them for serving their father land.

The minister, who is from the South-West said the president emphasised in the letters that the Wednesday’s council meeting would be the last to be held under his stewardship.

He further disclosed that in compliance to a directive from Jonathan, all ministers were expected to hand over the affairs of their ministries to their respective permanent secretaries by Thursday.

The minister, who pleaded not to be mentioned, added that there would also be send-off ceremonies for ministers also on Thursday.

He said: “I can confirm to you that this Wednesday will mark the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting to be presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. That is when Mr President will dissolve the cabinet.

“This is not catching us unawares. All of us have been duly informed. Mr President has sent letters to all of us who are his ministers. Mr President thanked us for having served the country meritoriously well together with him within the last few years.”

The Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, had told State House journalists after the April 15 FEC meeting that the last council meeting under Jonathan would hold on May 20 (today).

“…The last one (FEC meeting) that will be the valedictory one, on May 20”, the information minister had said then.

Ahead of the May 29 transition programme, the president had on April 15 also directed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to submit their handover briefs to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on or before April 20.