News / Africa

Nigeria's Acting President Nominates 33 for New Cabinet

Nigeria's new acting president Goodluck Jonathan is pictured as he takes office in Abuja, 10 Feb 2010
Nigeria's new acting president Goodluck Jonathan is pictured as he takes office in Abuja, 10 Feb 2010
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Nigeria's Senate President David Mark read the names of 33 ministerial nominees submitted by the acting president for approval.  The list includes nine members of the outgoing Cabinet.

A spokesman for Acting-President Goodluck Jonathan had said last week's removal of all government ministers was designed to "inject fresh blood and bring even greater vigor to governance."

But an Abuja-based political commentator, Idris Aliu, says the proposed ministers do not reflect an intent to bring greater efficiency and a commitment to improved governance.

"What the acting president said was that he wanted to inject fresh blood to contribute their own quota toward the development of Nigeria," he said.  "I am not satisfied because there are some old ones coming back.  What is his reason for including those former ministers to serve?  They should bring new ones, all [of them]."

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan late Tuesday sent to the senate the names of 33 proposed ministers for a Cabinet to replace the one he dissolved last week.  Nine members of the outgoing cabinet, including former deputy oil minister Odein Ajumogobia, attorney general Tokunbo Kayode and information minister Dora Akunyili, are on the list.

A close relation of ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua is among the new nominees.

The nominees are expected to appear before the senate, which will screen and confirm them.

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