Acting president sacks entire Nigerian cabinet

Nigerian acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved the cabinet on Wednesday, just a month after taking over from President Umaru Yar’Adua who spent three months in a Saudi Arabian hospital. No explanation was given for the dissolution and there was no announcement of a new cabinet.

Photo: AFP / E.Wole

“Today, the acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, dissolved the Federal Executive Council (cabinet),” said Information Minister Dora Akunyili.

“He did not give us any reason,” she added.

The move follows an announcement by the electoral commission on Tuesday that presidential and general elections will take place next year.

The old cabinet was divided between Jonathan’s and Yar’Adua’s supporters, with this move intended to secure the cabinet’s support, says correspondent Ben Shemang.

“It wouldn’t be out of place for him to appoint two or three close friends of Yar’Adua into his cabinet so that nobody rocks the boat,” he told RFI.

Shemang does not think it will take long to appoint a new cabinet, especially considering the amount of time left in Yar’Adua’s presidential term.

Jonathan carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle after assuming the acting presidency in February.