Northern Senators Move Against Akunyili, Lobby Jonathan For Joy Emordi

PHOTO: MRS. JOY EMORDI.

San Francisco March 25, (THEWILL) – The Ministerial nomination of Professor Dora Akunyili may not fly at the Senate as some senators on Thursday afternoon started a campaign to have Mrs. Joy Emordi, who was sacked from the Senate by a Court of Appeal in Enugu, replace Prof. Akunyili.

Both Emordi and Akunyili are from Anambra State.

The aggrieved senators who are mostly from the north are venting their anger on Akunyili because she tendered the Memo at an executive council of the federation meeting calling for the elevation of Goodluck Jonathan to Acting President due to President Yar’Adua’s incapacitation.

Four other nominees also face opposition from members of the Senate who are scheduled to screen the nominees next Monday. They are former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode; former Minister of National Planning, Senator Sanusi Daggash; Managing Director at London office of US investment bank, Goldman Sachs, representing Lagos, Mr. Olutoyin Aganga, and Kogi’s Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN).

Professor Akunyili is a darling of the Nigerian masses because of her outstanding record in public service.

Nigerian Acting President has however waded into the matter and was scheduled to meet with some aggrieved senators late Thursday night to clear the path for her and other nominees.

THEWILL has not been able to confirm if the meeting held as scheduled.

Goodluck Jonathan dissolved the federal cabinet last week Wednesday after holding a marathon meeting with Ministers.