Why President Jonathan's Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe resigned

The presidency, on Monday, confirmed the resignation of Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, saying that he has left the office to enable him to pursue other political objectives.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who spoke with State House correspondents on the matter in Abuja, Oghiadomhe’s resignation was in line with the order by the president that those who would be involved in vying for election soon to resign their appointments.

He debunked speculations, particularly in online media, on the reason for Oghiadomhe’s resignation, saying that the former chief of staff had diligently served the administration without blemish.

“I can confirm to you that the Chief of Staff to the President has resigned his appointment and that it has nothing to do with the speculation that one online portal was trying to do out.

“The president received the letter this morning and he says he wish to pursue other political necessities within our great party.

“You will recall that about two weeks ago, before the president travelled to Ethiopia, he had announced in the council that if there was any member of the cabinet or a major political appointee who wants to pursue some political endeavours, they should let him know.

“And if they see that they were going to be really busy and that it would occupy their times, ordinarily, then they should please step aside or let him know, or they should come and see him for discussion.

“So, that you can confirm. It happened in the open floor of the council. And you can see what I have pointed out as the reason for the resignation of the chief of staff. It is in line with that,” Abati said.

He noted that the president appreciated the contribution of Oghiadomhe, adding that “he was a man who discharged his responsibilities diligently and the country is very grateful to him.”

Abati added that the president was yet to select a replacement.

In spite of the position of the presidency, there were speculations that the resignation may not be unconnected with some lapses blamed on the office of the former chief of staff.

The last was his alleged deliberate sideline of Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State over the visit by the president to the state recently.

Rather than writing to apprise the governor about the impending visit, Oghiadomhe was said to have chosen to deal with the deputy governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, following the governor’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Shagari, it will be recalled, refused to move to the APC with the governor, a development that made him the leader of PDP in the state.

Presidency sources revealed that Wamakko complained about being slighted over the presidential visit, but still went ahead to make preparations for a hitch-free visit by providing accommodation and other necessary logistics.

The president was said to have been upset when it was brought to his notice and apparently decided to take action on Saturday.

Jonathan was also thought to have expressed his displeasure over the failure of Oghiadomhe to acknowledge a request by Niger State traditional rulers to pay the president a “thank you” visit, following the kick-off of the Zungeru Power project in the state late last year.

The state governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, was said to have expressed his sadness to the president that months after the royal fathers wrote to request for the visit, the office of the chief of staff failed to even acknowledge their letter.

A source said the president did not want to fire Oghiadomhe, but demanded his resignation letter, so as not to tarnish his records.

It was learnt that some infighting within the ranks of the special advisers and the former chief of staff recently got to the president’s knowledge, especially complaints that some of their memos were being delayed by Oghiadomhe until events overtook them.

It was also gathered that some ministers had also complained that their memos to the president were being delayed and that many were not seen by the president.

A source also said Oghiadomhe was becoming too powerful and that the sack was a harbinger of things to come, as “many controversial ministers would soon be relieved of their positions.”