President Goodluck Jonathan has announced the immediate sack of Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.) as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

A statement issued this evening in Abuja by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) Reuben Abati said Jonathan has appointed Mr. Ishaya Dare Akau as the new Chairman of SURE-P.

The statement said that the appointment of Mr. Akau, who hails from Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and holds Bachelors’ Degrees in the Arts and Law, takes immediate effect.

“Mr. Akau comes to the job with years of experience as a high-level administrator in the nation’s public service. His record of service includes tenures as Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Education Board and Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission,” Abati said.

“President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Chairman of SURE-P, Gen Agwai for his service to the nation and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” he added.

The statement gave no indication of Agwai’s sin but sources said his downfall might not be unconnected with a recent utterance which seemed to indicate that he favours opposition strongman Muahmmadu Buhari to defeat Jonathan in the March 28 ballot.

•Photo shows former SURE-P Chairman, Agwai.