Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/03/04/jonathan-shuts-out-aliero-abbe-at-pac-inauguration/ABUJA—DESPITE the 15 minutes delay in the 10:00 am scheduled take-off time, two key minders of President Umaru Yar’Adua political interest, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Godwin Abbe and that of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Alhaji Adamu Aleiro, today arrived late to Aso Rock for the inauguration of the 25-man Presidential Advisory Council; and they were shut out.
Two who looked very embarrassed before reporters and security men had arrived at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa for the inauguration ceremony which was well advertised by the Presidency, an indication that they were yet to come to terms with the reality that Jonathan, unlike Yar’Adua, is time conscious.
From left; Acting President Goodluck Jonathan; Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd) and FCT Minister, Senator Adamu Aliero.
Vanguard reliably learnt that the Defence Minister, who hardly comes late for such functions, however arrived at the venue of that all important meeting when the ceremony had been concluded by Jonathan.
The FCT Ministers, Aliero who was also late at the meeting was denied access by security men at the entrance to the chambers when he arrived about 25 minutes later.
Aleiro who arrive the security post to the venue of the function alone needed no further explanation from the security men that the meeting has started, as the entrance door was shut, and the atmosphere devoid of the usual movement of people.
Visibly tensed up, Aleiro was said to have spoken in Hausa language, asking the security do whatever they can to enable him gain access to the meeting; but in silence the security men walked him to the tea room, where he was offered a seat while the meeting lasted.
Apparently frustrated, the duo was heard in this brief conversation. Abbe: “what do we do now that the meeting has ended? Aliero was said to have replied, “Let’s go in and just shake hands with them and congratulate them.”
The FCT minister, who is one of the key players in the recent political fireworks in the Presidency, and has on several fronts, undermined the powers of the Acting President on several occasions during the crisis.
