Stay away: Stella Oduah to be excluded from BASA deal signing in Israel on President Jonathan’s orders

by ‘Jola Sotubo

According to reports, the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has been barred by President Goodluck Jonathan from participating in the proposed signing of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, with Israel today.

Oduah’s exclusion is being attributed to the recent controversy surrounding the purchase of two bullet-proof cars worth N255M for the minister by the NCAA.

The agreement, one of the major reasons why the minister and the president are in the holy land, will see an increase in relations between Israel and Nigeria and is a historic one which is reportedly why President Jonathan is being mindful of his steps regarding Ms. Oduah.

Nigerian Eye reports:

Oduah, who had left Nigeria for Israel ahead of Jonathan, is facing a twin-prong probe from the Presidency and the House of Representatives over her role in the acquisition of two overpriced armoured car valued at N225 million.

Oduah is said to have gone to Israel with the hope that she could use the opportunity of the visit to explain her position on the controversial car deal to Mr. President and take part in sealing the air deal with the country.

Competent sources said that the President had not given the minister any opportunity to discuss the issue with him since his arrival in the Holy Land last Wednesday.

The source explained that the Nigerian leader decided to keep the minister out of the signing ceremony because he did not want his visit to be overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Oduah.

One source said last night that it was in a bid to keep the minister away from the limelight that she was not given any visibility since Jonathan arrived in the country.

Competent Presidency sources revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan was uncomfortable with the public outrage arising from Oduahgate and would not want to be seen as condoning corruption with the embattled minister on his side.

One source said: “The President is mindful of the fact that he has to project Nigeria as a country, which does not condone any form of graft and will not bring a tainted official of his administration to Tel Aviv for a serious event as the BASA signing ceremony.

“Before leaving for the Holy Land, the President had made it clear that the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the two armoured cars for the minister must be thoroughly investigated and a detailed report made for him to assure Nigerians and the international community that he does not tolerate any form of financial impropriety.”

 

 

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