The president, who a source in the presidency said was very angry and was not prepared to allow Sanusi to proceed on his terminal leave in March, asked him to tender his resignation this week Tuesday.
But Sanusi stood his ground and made it abundantly clear to Jonathan that he would not be forced out, except he is removed by two-thirds of the Senate as required by the law of the land.
Sanusi also expressed his surprise to the president that he was the one being asked to resign instead of the president to ask those responsible for the non-remittance of Nigeria's money in NNPC to resign.
“Sanusi felt he was being forced out for doing his patriotic duty to his country by drawing attention to the unaccounted funds. He only has two months to go, so this was a ploy to force him out and destroy his career and reputation," said a Presidency source.
Sanusi has however briefed his aides and family members, insisting that Nigeria belongs to all and not a few.