Jonathan Suspends Iheanacho, Minister of Interior
 *Says his continued stay in office not in the interest of the nation.

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the suspension of the Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho as minister and member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).  A statement issued by the Presidency in Abuja said the suspension takes immediate effect.

The statement cited lapses in the political leadership of the Ministry of Interior and unacceptable personal and official conduct as reasons for his suspension.

He is to hand over to the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu.

Pointblanknews.com has learned that part of the reason for his removal was security reports that fingered him with the protest in some part of Nigeria after President Goodluck Jonathan was announced winner of the Presidential election.

He was also alleged to have been involved in an anti-party activities in his Imo West Senatorial District. He was alleged to have worked against the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate and former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Kema Chikwe, by providing support for the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs Chris Anyanwu, who eventually emerged as the Senator representing the zone in the keenly contested election.

The situation was said to have allegedly infuriated Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who had backed Chikwe, prompting him to intensify pressure on the president to remove the minister.

Beyond that, Captain Iheanacho had been embroiled in a power tussle with the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Dere Awosika, who has since been moved to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The duo had issued counter directives to paramilitary organisations in the ministry which at a point led to a shutdown of government business precipitating protests by workers in the ministry calling for the removal of the Permamnent Secretary, Mrs Awosika, daughter of First Republic Minister of Finance, Chief Okotie Ebo.

Following the ensuing power play between the duo in the ministry last year, President Jonathan had instructed the then Head of Service, Stephen Oronsaye, to redeploy Mrs Awosika to his office (HOS).

She was subsequently moved to the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation as Permanent Secretary, Carreer Management.

Not letting go, Mrs Awosika, who had complained that the minister hounded her out owing to her insistence that due process be followed as the minister was allegedly seeking funds to pursue his gubernatorial ambition.

From her strategic position, she was alleged to have posted her cronies to the ministry to keep a tab on the minister’s activities. She was said to have received streams of intelligence on the minister which she relayed to the Presidency.