The Senior Special Adviser to President Umaru Yar’Adua on Electric Power, Mr. Joseph Makoju has quit.

Makoju, one of the last aides of former president Olusegun Obasanjo in the Yar’Adua administration will, however, serve as an honourary adviser to the President.

But he will earn no salary during the period he will serve as an honorary adviser.

Makoju, a former managing director of the defunct Nigeria Electric Power Authority (now Power Holding Company of Nigeria) confirmed his decision to quit to one of our correspondents on Sunday.

He said he would proceed on a short rest during which he would decide on his re-entry into the private sector. He added that he was leaving on a good note.

“There was no problem at all. All along I had been on secondment and on contract; many people do not realise this I will still be involved as the President has requested. For example, this coming week I will be in the President’s delegation to Paris as part of the effort to find a lasting solution to the power crisis.”

When contacted on Sunday, the Senior Special Adviser to the President, Communications, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, said Makoju left of his own volition.

“Makoju asked for it, he apparently wants to be freer but he is still very much involved. We had an all-day meeting on Saturday at the Villa and he was there. He was not removed,” Adeniyi said.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200806095481253

Reports reaching me from a credible source says he was fired by the presidency.

Is this a good move by the Yaradua? What exactly does he hope to achieve with the move?

Makoju had 8yrs with OBJ, we saw nothing but more DARKNESS.

''For example, this coming week I will be in the President’s delegation to Paris as part of the effort to find a lasting solution to the power crisis''

Interesting. So, it's by travelling to Paris (and apparently winding down) that you get to ''solve'' the nation's power problems? Na wa for naija sef - what a wonderful way of finding ''lasting'' solutions to power problems.

don't be surprised if the man returns and becomes the minister of power