Barring any change of mind, President Goodluck Jonathan may sack the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as soon as he returns from his overseas trip to Brussels, presidency sources hinted.
The sack of the SGF, Nigerian Pilot gathered, has been on the table for quite some time now. Already, the trio of Presidential Adviser on Inter-Party Relations and former Senator, Chief Ben Obi, former Senate President, Dr. Ken Nnamani and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has been shortlisted as possible replacements.
It was also gathered that the SGF is already aware of the move to oust him from office and has been making moves to save his job by courting the assistance of those he believed has the ears of the president.
Part of the reasons for the planned removal of the SGF include his alleged inability to effectively coordinate activities in the presidency as Head of its secretariat, lack of political clout needed by the president at critical periods such as now when 2015 general elections are drawing close. Others include his alleged lack of support from fellow Ibos, his frequent slumber at crucial state functions (he sleeps a lot), as well as the shabby manner the SGF handled the compilation of nominees for the ongoing National Conference, resulting in allegations by several groups that names submitted by them were manipulated by the office of the SGF.
The SGF is said to have lost the support of his Ibo kinsmen who are said to have written to the president asking for his replacement.
It was further alleged that on several occasions, the SGF was found wanting in the discharge of his duties, particularly ‘those moments when prompt and decisive action was needed to tackle urgent state matters’, our source explained.
He gave two instances. One was at the inauguration of the National Conference where he said was probably due to the enormity of Anyim’s responsibility, he dozed off while President Jonathan was inaugurating the Conference Committee.
Anyim, who welcomed delegates to the Conference, slept throughout the 22 minutes that President Jonathan spoke. But intermittently, he shook his head as delegates clapped in response to points raised by the President in his speech.
Another instance was at the meeting between the PDP and the national chairman of the party, in February. Guests and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party were shocked when the then new National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, specifically urged SGF to learn not to sleep during public functions. Mu’azu spoke when leaders of the party from Ebonyi State visited him and the leadership of the party to pay homage and wish him well following his election.
The group was led by the governor, Martin Elechi, who spoke on behalf of the delegation from his state, which included Anyim, Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and some other political office holders from the state.
But while Mu’azu was replying, he looked over at Senator Pius Anyim, who had already dozed off, and immediately confronted the SGF.
“Senator Pius Anyim, I hope you have not started doing what you like doing best,” Mu’azu said, making the motions of a dozing person. The laughter that followed from the audience woke up the sleeping SGF” Mu’azu said.
It will be recalled that while he was a senator, Anyim often fell asleep on the floor of the Senate, an action that made the late Chuba Okadigbo, at that time the Senate President, to scold him on one occasion. Witnesses recall that the scolding followed an instance when Anyim, suddenly woke up from his usual sleep and without knowing the topic being discussed, shouted that he wanted to make contribution.
An angry Okadigbo then asked Anyim whether he knew what was being discussed, to which Senator Pius Anyim just smiled, provoking general laughter among the Senators.
Senator Pius Anyim Our source further said that with 2015 drawing close, the president needs an SGF who will rally the support of Ibos and other Nigerians, should Jonathan decide to re-contest in the election, stressing that, that informed the decision to go for either Ben Obi (whose nomination is being backed by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau), Ken Nnamani or Peter Obi.
“Jonathan needs somebody who will give him political backing and effectively coordinate a sensitive and critical office as that of the SGF, which the present SGF lacks”, our source stated.
However, efforts made to confirm the story before going to press proved abortive as both presidency spokespersons and SGF aides could not be reached. But a close friend to Anyim who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development. He told Nigerian pilot on phone that the SGF is already aware, stressing that inquiries they made at the office of the Chief of Staff to the President could not affirm what he described as ‘political rumour’.
