Presidency: Jonathan Not Backing Maina

SAN FRANCISCO, February 14, (THEWILL) - The presidency said, Thursday, that President Goodluck Jonathan was not backing the embattled chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, maintaining that only the civil service rule can determine Maina’s fate.

Reacting to the ultimatum given to President Jonathan, Wednesday, to sack Maina with immediate effect, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said his principal was not backing Maina against the Senate, maintaining that the lawmakers can summon anyone they so wish.

“As a man that believes in the rule of law, the President believes that laid down procedure should be followed in addressing issues,” he said, adding that the process of stripping any erring civil servant of his job resides in the Head of Service of the Federation, who is the executor of the regulations guiding the hiring and firing of anyone found wanting.

" The Senate has constitutional power to summon anybody. If such person failed to appear before them, the lawmakers are also empowered to issue warrant of arrest against the person.

"The President has not in anyway stood in the way of the Senate in inviting Maina. You will recall that the police even declared him wanted.

"Maina is a civil servant. If he has done something that amount to a breach of civil service rule, the appropriate office to do the right thing and ensure that due process is followed is the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

"Nobody should suggest that the President is backing Maina. It is not an issue for the President.

"There are laid down procedures for handling situations like this. The President believes in due process. It is a matter for the civil service to handle. The President does not have to be disciplining civil servants personally," Abati stated.