Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan dissolves cabinet

| Thursday March 18, 2010 00:00

Jonathan became acting president in February amid the continuing illness of President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Yar'Adua went to Saudi Arabia for treatment in November last year and, despite returning to Nigeria recently, has not been seen in public.

The cabinet was picked by  Yar'Adua and correspondents say  Jonathan is now trying to stamp his own authority.

'No reason'Information Minister Dora Akunyili said after a cabinet meeting: 'Today, the acting president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, dissolved the Federal Executive Council (cabinet).

The move was expected, considering the stories that made the rounds of the newspaper front pages in Nigeria day. Some here had been calling for the dissolution of the cabinet, suggesting it had not performed to expectations.

Many here will see this as a major move by the acting president to consolidate his position.

But it is not the first such action. Soon after he became acting president he asserted his authority by swapping ministers - including the minister of justice, who was seen as a close ally of ailing President Yar'Adua.

'He did not give us any reason for the dissolution. Permanent secretaries will take charge of the ministries from tomorrow.'

Akunyili said that Jonathan would issue a statement soon on the future make-up of the cabinet.

Jonathan will have to submit the list of new ministers to the National Assembly.

It was only on 9 February that the assembly appointed Jonathan as acting president, allowing him to sign legislation, chair cabinet meetings, reshuffle ministers and release oil funds.

Since he assumed power he has been faced with serious communal violence between Muslim and Christian groups near the city of Jos that has left hundreds dead. On Wednesday, at least 10 people were killed in an attack on a mainly Christian village near Jos.

Armed groups who say they are fighting for a fairer share of oil wealth have also continued their campaign in the Niger Delta.On Monday two car bombs exploded in the oil city of Warri, where officials were in talks over an amnesty for militants.

Election candidatePresident Yar'Adua was treated in Saudi Arabia for what his doctor described as acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. There are no details of his current condition.