The Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, is in strong contention to become a minister, News Express can report this morning.

“He has been penciled down to replace Labaran Maku as Minister of Information when the President reconstitutes his cabinet,” a reliable source at the Presidency informed News Express.

The source said that Abati had been lobbying for the position, including using the President’s mother, Madam Eunice Ayi Jonathan, to reach the heart of Dr. Jonathan.

The source did not, however, say if Maku, who has had a lackluster tenure as Information Minister, would be reassigned or dropped from the cabinet. Maku is presently doubling as Supervising Minister of the Ministry of Defence.

President Jonathan is in the process of replacing 10 ministers dropped over the past one month. While Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir was sacked as Minister of Youth Development on August 26, nine others were relieved of their appointments on September 11. They are Prof. Ita Okon Bassey Ewa (Science and Technology); Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs); Dr. Shamshudeen Usman (National Planning); Professor Ruquayattu Rufa’i (Education); Ms Amma Pepple (Housing and Urban Development); Hajia Hadiza Malaifia (Environment). Three ministers of state were also affected – Ms. Zainab Kuchi, Minister of State for Power; Olusola Obada, Minister of State for Defence; and Bukar Tijani, Minister of State for Agriculture.

•Photo shows Abati.