SR: 'Shut Up!' Chief of Defence Staff Insults Minister Obanikoro?

The updates are pouring in with regards to the development that led to the suggested resignation of Minister of Defence, Gen Aliyu Gusau. Below is how Sahara Reporters captured the latest heat in Aso Rock:

Aliyu Gusau’s decision to dump President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet is related to insubordination. Sources at the ministry said that top military heads kept Mr. Gusau waiting for two days after he summoned them to a meeting, with different military service chiefs making excuses for their inability to meet with him. Finally, the situation turned testy on Tuesday when, after keeping Mr. Gusau and Musiliu Obanikoro waiting for several hours, the Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, showed up alone for the meeting.

“When Air Marshal Badeh showed up, the Minister of Defense told him he was expecting all the chiefs of staff within the military, but Badeh reportedly told him there is no need,” said one source at the ministry. The sources added that Badeh also told Mr. Gusau that he alone would be meeting with the minister as the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), stating that this arrangement is the collective decision of military officers in the country.

The source said an attempt by the Minister of State for Defense, Mr. Obanikoro, to intervene was rudely brushed aside as Badeh asked him to “shut up.” “Air Marshal Badeh is said to have called Senator Obanikoro a ‘small boy’ and warned him that the military was not going to be taking orders anymore from bloody civilians like him,” one source stated.

The heat was too much. President Jonathan had to rush to Gusau's house in Abuja to beg him...

Soon after the altercation, General Gusau reportedly ended the meeting and asked the Permanent Secretary in the ministry to transmit his letter of resignation to President Goodluck Jonathan, immediately.

Sahara Reporters learnt that President Jonathan, who was rattled by the development, immediately charged Senate President David Mark with the task of begging Gusau to rescind his resignation. The president promised to see that the issue was resolved expeditiously as soon as Gusau return to office.

However, a source stated that Mr. Gusau remained infuriated and refused to back away from his decision to dump the government. Late Tuesday night, President Jonathan paid a visit to Mr. Gusau’s home in Abuja in a last-ditch effort to persuade him to stay at his ministerial job, but Gusau refused to see the president.

Also, Gusau refused to attend Wednesday's session of the Federal Executive Council, a weekly meeting of all ministers with the president. He told aides that he could not serve in a situation where military officers would show open disdain for their civilian leaders, including him, an experienced retired military man.

Sahara Reporters contacted Mr. Obanikoro who admitted obliquely that there was what he termed a “slight disagreement,” but claimed that it is not too serious.

An aide to Senator David Mark told Sahara Reporters that Mr. Gusau had sent his letter of resignation to the Senate, which confirmed him after his nomination. The source added, however, that Mr. Mark had refused to read the letter because he is still hoping that he could convince Gusau to change his mind.

A source told nijahotnews.blogspot.com that they've contacted ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to help beg Gusau and I heard he has finally accepted to return to the government, if certain conditions are met.