At the swearing in, Jonathan was silent on Abdullahi’s fate but presidential spokesman Reuben Abati later told journalists that he was sacked.

Presidency sources told journalists that the sports minister was fired over alleged disloyalty.

The former minister demonstrated his loyalty to APC in Kwara on Monday when Jonathan visited Ilorin to receive some defectors to the PDP, a Presidency official said.

“When the president went to Ilorin for a rally to receive many defectors into PDP, Abdullahi carelessly said in a bus conveying dignitaries to the venue of the rally that he didn’t have any business to be there if not because he is from Kwara State and by reason of his position.

“Some PDP chieftains and other government officials who heard him were angry and later briefed the president. So, the president felt he had to go,” the official said, asking not to be named.