Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will swear in 38 ministers to his new cabinet and assign them portfolios on Tuesday, a presidency spokesman said yesterday, a move that would help ease political uncertainty in the country.
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the ministers nominated by acting president, which included Prof. Dora Akunyili who was widely believed would not be confirmed by the Senate.
Jonathan sacked the previous cabinet two weeks ago in a bid to assert his authority a month after assuming executive powers in the absence of ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua, who remains too sick to govern.
“The acting president will on Tuesday, April 6 at 12 noon swear in the newly appointed ministers at the state house,” said spokesman Ima Niboro, adding that Jonathan would assign them portfolios immediately afterwards. The ministers are expected to be seated at 11 am.
The nominees confirmed so far include 13 returnees from the outgoing cabinet and, while political analysts hope progress on key reforms may accelerate, few expect Nigeria’s broad policy direction to change.
The federal cabinet is made up of 42 ministers, ministers of state and ministers in the presidency. Jonathan is expected to submit a second list of four nominees for the Senate’s approval after the Easter break to complete his new team.