Abuja — Minister of Information and communications, Professor Dora Akuniyili, is set to quit President Goodluck Jonathan's cabinet next week LEADERSHIPWEEKEND gathered yesterday.

Prof Akunyili was reported to have been promised a seat in the senate by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State against APGA senatorial ticket to contest for the Central Senatorial district.

It was gathered that the decision of the information minister to quit is for her to pursue her senatorial ambition having lost out at the last governorship primaries of the PDP for Anambra state to former CBN governor Professor Charles Soludo.

It was gathered yesterday afternoon that, the Information Minister visited the National Communication Commission [NCC]. She told the executive staff that she was on a farewell visit. And that she will be resigning by the middle of next week.

Akunyili had played a pivotal role in the emergence of President Jonathan following the death of the former president. Following the ascension of Jonathan to the seat of Presidency, her stock with the presidency dwindled. The aides to the President saw Dora Akunyili as a threat and thus moved to silence her.

Competent sources also said Akuniyili was also not happy that the special Adviser to the President on media Ima Niboro has taken over her responsibilities.

The details are still sketchy but Dora Akunyili is expected to make her resignation public in the coming days.

In response, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information, Isaac Umunna, has debunked the claims that the minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, is quitting as a member of President Goodluck Jonathan's team. LEADERSHIP Weekend had reached to clarify the report on ukpakareports.com where it was authoritatively stated that she was quitting her job because of a strained relationship between her and President Jonathan and his media aide Ima Niboro.

According to him, "She has not told me she is resigning and I think I am close enough to know. It is a mere fabrication' he said. Another very close source said the minister was surprised when she heard about the online report. 'She is under tremendous pressure to run for several positions in the elections ahead but she has a good relationship with the president and she has not resigned. If she is to resign she will do so honourably and openly. There will be nothing hidden about it and she would have consulted widely before doing so' he said. Another source revealed that Prof Akunyili will likely speak about this issue on Monday".

Source:LEAADERSHIP.