Nigeria: Acting president dissolves cabinet

  1. Posted on Thursday 18 March 2010 - 08:45
    Sanday
    Image of Sanday
    Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
    Nigeria's acting president Goodluck Jonathan has with immediate effect dissolved the West African country's cabinet, a move analysts say is an attempt to consolidate power in the absence of ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua. He became acting president in February amid the continuing illness of Yar'Adua.
    Goodluck Jonathan
    Yar’Adua has been seeking medical attention since November 2009 and was recently sneaked into Africa’s most populous nation but he is yet to make a public appearance.

    Authorities in Nigeria have denied there was a power vacuum in that country following a protracted illness of Yar’ Adua.

    The dissolved cabinet was assembled by Yar'Adua and reports suggest that the move by Jonathan is an attempt to stamp authority and consolidate power at the *expense of ailing head of state.