State of the nation: Jonathan’s New cabinet next week, say govt sources.
Nigeria Crest
Nigeria’s new Cabinet is to be constituted next week as Acting President Goodluck Jonathan will send a list of ministerial nominees for Senate approval by early in the week. A source close to the Presidency said it was unlikely many of the fallen Ministers would be reappointed.
“The stance would be taken in order for the Acting President to get a credible restoration of confidence in the PDP government which has lost complete credibility and confidence of Nigerians in the wake of the party’s absolute display of arrogance and a rough-shod ride on Nigerians on whose mandate they are holding the mantle of ruling
According to a Presidency source a new team of vibrant Nigerians would emerge – those that would do much to alleviate the current uncertainties in the country.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party will hold key talks next week in a meeting to be presided by the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Party’s highest decision-making organ, the national executive council, had detailed a crucial meeting.
Asked whether the meeting was set to discuss the startling dissolution of the government by Jonathan this week, party spokesman Rufai Alkali told AFP: “The party is working hand-in-hand with the office of the acting president.
“We have to provide the support to ensure he succeeds. There is always close consultation between the party and the government.”
Alkali did not confirm speculation that the meeting would be held next Thursday, saying:
“When we have finalised the arrangements we will let the world know.”
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Jonathan, in bid to assert his authority since he took over the reins five weeks ago, wants a pro-reform cabinet after months of virtual governmental paralysis critics blame on President Umaru Yar’Adua’s protracted ill health and lack-lustre governance.
The ruling party said it fully backed Jonathan’s dissolution of the predominantly PDP cabinet.
“We are satisfied, we are very, very satisfied with the dissolution,” PDP national chairman Vincent Ogbulafor said after a team of party senior leadership met Jonathan Thursday night.
Alkali said the sacking of the government “did not come as a surprise to us because under normal circumstances the FEC (Federal Executive Council or cabinet) is supposed to work in unity of purpose.
But “when you have cracks in the government, he (the acting president) has the power to constitute a cabinet that will assist to achieve the overall objectives of government,” he added.
Jonathan’s decision to dissolve the cabinet gives him an opportunity to appoint his own team and thus strengthen his authority.
The planned talks were to include the powerful state governors and the party’s board of trustees, chaired by the former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
Under the Nigerian laws, the president appoints at least one minister from each of the 36 states of the federation, and the influential governors play a key role in nominating the candidates.
Presidential sources say Jonathan, who enjoys the backing of the senate which has the final say on who makes it into the cabinet, was eyeing a full line up by next week.
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But experts and diplomats said it was unlikely a new government would be in place by then, arguing it would take at least two weeks in the best case scenario.
But some observers say that despite his desire for a reform minded cabinet to tackle a mounting set of crises, including a new bout of sectarian slaughter, violence in the oil-rich Niger Delta and a diplomatic row with Libya, he may not have much of a free hand in the nominations.
“But there is a chance he might capitalise on the fact that the party is divided and have some governors on his side,” a foreign diplomat said.
“It’s is fairly clear that Jonathan does not control the party but what is clear is that the party is divided and rather weak,” added the diplomat.
Additional Source:AFP
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