Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolves cabinet


Acting President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday became more decisive in running the affairs of government when he ordered the immediate dissolution of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, bringing to an end lingering speculations on the existence of the former cabinet as constituted by the ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua.


Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili, who took State House Correspondents through a very long briefing session, where she outlined so many contract memos that were approved by the dissolved council, said “the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has dissolved the Federal Executive Council”.


According to the minister who could barely take few questions disclosed that “the Acting President did not give reason for dissolving the cabinet”; even as she added that “all ministers including myself are to handover to their respective permanent secretaries by tomorrow (today)”


She however pointed out that the dissolution of the cabinet also affect all presidential aides including special Advisers, Assistants and others stressing that “if they are form part of the cabinet it means they are also dissolved.


Although as unbelievable it may sound to many ministers who had engaged in the exchange of banters upon arrival at the Council Chambers of yesterday meeting, never expected that yesterday was going to be the last day in the Yar’Adua cum Jonathan led government.


Many of the ministers, against all protocol, abandoned their usual exit point from the Council Chambers, venue of the meeting, as they were seen taking different routs out of the premises; with some of them openly discussing how they intend to move swiftly to their office to collect their personal effects.


But as the meeting ended, visibly in disbelieve many ministers, particularly those loyal to Yar’Adua were seen in frowning mood as they refused to take questions from reporters; except the new minister of Labour, Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure, who agreed to talk.


He said he want to thank both Yar’Adua and Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve his father land, adding that “I use to be the minister of Labour but now I am no more”.


On what he intends to do after being a minister he said “I am a politician and I will continue to be a Minister until I die.”


It was not however clear whether a chunk of the outgoing ministers and other cabinet members may be re appointed by the Acting President; even as it being speculated that some of them including those loyal to Yar’Adua are likely coming back.


Vanguard


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