Okonjo-Iweala: Ministers unhappy with president’s directive

There was disquiet in the Federal Executive Council over a directive by President Goodluck Jonathan that ministers should cooperate with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, or get sacked.
Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCH showed that the ministers were not happy with the President’s threat and the power of Okonjo-Iweala in the cabinet.
Some ministers, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said it waswrong for the president to give the former managing director of the World Bank an impression that she was superior to her colleagues.
They said inasmuch asthey recognised her prowess in the area offinance, there was no way she could also claim to be all-in-all in other areas.
One of the ministers said, “Well, it was true that the president called the meeting where he spoke about the need to cooperate with her in the assignment to lead theeconomic team.
“We all know that the economy is in bad shape and there is need for all members of the Federal Executive Council to work together in order to deliver dividends of democracy to our people.
“Yes, in doing that, we should all be treated with respect. We are all important in this national assignment. Itis wrong to say one is more important than the other; after all, where was she when we were campaigning?She should not be made our boss.”
Another minister said most ministers also felt that instead of asking them to cooperate with Okonjo-Iweala or get sacked, the president ought to implore all theministers to work together.
The minister said that the nation was alreadypolarised and that the president’s comment was capable of dividingthe FEC.
The minister said, “Wealready have a divided nation. We have a divided party in the Peoples Democratic Party, which is the ruling party. Now, I do not think it is in the interest of the nation and the government toalso have a divided government.
“Of course, we are bound to cooperate with one another, irrespective of our ministries. But to say one minister is superiorto the other is wrong.