Written by Christian Okeke, Abuja, Kola Oyelere, Kano
Saturday, February 6, 2010

Despite intrigues by the kitchen cabinet of President Musa Yar'Adua as well as the leadership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), to mount pressure on the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, to quit the cabinet, it was revealed on Friday that the embattled minister may not resign her appointment, at least for now.

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This situation is coming on the heels of commendations hailing her for her courageous mind, boldness and patriotism for speaking the mind of Nigerians as regards her call on President Umar Yar'Adua to formalise procedures and hand over the mantle of leadership to his vice, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck, as acting president, as a result of his ill-health.

Giving the commendation, the chairman, Forum for Defence of Democracy, Capt. Mohammed Danlami Garba (rtd), said her statement had the support of all Nigerians, adding that Akunyili, by that action, had done what most men were afraid to do.

Since the minister submitted the 'Yar'Adua step down' memo last  Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council  (FEC) meeting, Saturday Tribune reliably gathered that she has been receiving series of phone calls and threats  most of which were mounting unrelenting pressure on her to quit her job.

Saturday Tribune was told by a source that already, the kitchen cabinet as well as the leadership of the PDP were engaged in high-level lobby of the ministers to kick against Akunyili's memo in  next week's FEC and if possible, make sure that she is made a scapegoat.

The source hinted that a mother-of-all intrigue was being hatched to give Akunyili a big shocker as there were discomforts since she defied criticisms to submit the memo to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed for consideration next Wednesday.

It was disclosed that the arrow-heads in the move were equally in touch with the wife of the president, Turai, who was reportedly taken aback by the action of Akunyili and has been convinced that the minister has been quite unhappy with her after she (Akunyili)lost out in the bid to be retained as the Minister of Health. Turai was accused as being responsible for the loss.

Initially, it was gathered that the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, was feared to be a stumbling block in the way of the plotters having a field day as he may 'mispilot affairs' during the FEC meeting next week to give Akunyili the upper hand, but efforts were successful to get the leadership of the PDP  to 'talk' to the VP and brief him on where the party wants the pendulum to swing.

Should Jonathan fail to heed  the advice and see the 'banana peel', the source stated further that the party will waste no time in branding him as being disloyal to his boss, Yar'Adua and engaging in anti-party activities.

According to the source, Jonathan was suspected to have instigated Akunyili's stance but noted that there were yet to be evidence to that effect.

Be that as it may, Saturday Tribune gathered on Friday that the 'fearless' minister decided to toe the line of the masses, her conscience and good thinking of other family members and associates, who advised her to make a mark, take the bull by the horns and speak out.

Her courage was said to have been reinforced, however, by the fact that the Vice President would not be cowed into sacking her as toeing that line would place him on the wrong side of history and attract protests and criticisms that will further overheat the polity.

Meanwhile, unusual calm enveloped the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, on Thursday and Friday, and activities were at low ebbs when Saturday Tribune went to the ministry to see how the tension generated by the minister's memo was impacting events there.

Civil servants at the ministry were seen discussing the development in groups and in hushed tones and expressed shock that their principal could muster the courage to dare the FEC.