Jonathan Reshuffles Cabinet After Seven Ministers’ Exit
President Goodluck Jonathan has rejigged his cabinet in order to fill the vacancies left behind by some ministers who resigned to pursue elective positions in their various states.
The president simply assigned additional responsibilities to ministers who are staying put.
Some ministers, including those of information, labour, health left the cabinet on October 20 ahead of 2015 general elections. politics of arty nominations are already hotting up across the country.
The cabinet reshuffle was announced on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council Meeting held in Abuja and presided over by President Jonathan.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, briefed reporters at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja the who is now to oversee the Ministry of Information, said that the Minister of State I, Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, had been moved to Education while the Minister of State, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan would oversee the Minister of Health.
The Minister of Special Duties, Mr Kabiru Turaki, is to oversee the Ministry of Labour and Productivity while the Minister of Defence, Mr Aliyu Guasu, will combine his duties with those of the Minister of State, Defence.
Also, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Stephen Oru, will combine his responsibilities with those of the Minister of State, Defence vacated by Dr. Darius Ishaku; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, will combine his duties with those of the Minister of State previously held by Samuel Ortom.
Dr Mohammed said that the ministers appointed to supervise other ministries were to act in the capacity pending when substantive ministers would be named.
It is not yet clear if President Jonathan will forward new names to the National Assembly for appointment as new ministers, as the administration has few months in office before the 2015 general elections.
