Aondoakaa demoted in cabinet shuffle

Details: Category: Politics; Published on Wednesday, 10 February 2010 20:16; Written by Admin; Hits: 1954

Nigerian Acting-President Goodluck Jonathan has removed the country's Justice Minister and Attorney General Mr. Michael Aondoakaa and moved him to a lower-profile cabinet position a day after the vice president took power as the nation's leader in what analysts say is a sign of Mr Jonathan exerting control.

Mr Aondoakaa had been seen as a key figure in preventing Mr Jonathan from taking over as acting president.

Mr Jonathan was finally installed as acting leader on Tuesday after a vote in the National Assembly. He chaired his first cabinet meeting earlier.

The former Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa had argued in court that ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua could serve as Nigeria's leader from anywhere. On Wednesday, the day after Vice President Goodluck Jonathan took over as the acting president, it was announced that Aondoakaa would become "Minister of Special Duties."

Officials say Labor Minister Adetokunbo Kayode will now serve as attorney general. Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure will become labor minister.

The cabinet said it accepted parliament's decision, despite some previous doubts over the legality of the move.

Yar'Adua's 79 days absence sparked outcry in the country. The Senate and the House of Representatives both voted on Tuesday to have Jonathan take power as acting president since the President failed to formally hand over to his deputy thereby creating a power vacuum.

The initial report reaching us was that the embattled minister was dropped outrightly from the cabinet but with plea from other ministers loyal to Yar'Adua, he was re-instated but demoted.