September 23, 2008
Nigeria's ailing leader, Umaru Yar'adua, today failed to dissolve his cabinet as had been widely expected, leaving the country standing still. Important work in many ministries has ground to a halt as ministers await word on whether they are being retained or not, in fact, the expectations of a cabinet dissolution was such that ministers of Muslim faith in the government could not travel to Saudi Arabia for the religious observance of hajj.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that a cabinet reshuffle was in the offing, if the health of Mr. Yar'adua permitted it, but our reporters in Abuja said his continued ill health prevented Yar'adua from finalizing his new cabinet list.
Yar'adua had sent out feelers through some Nigerian local media outlets that his inability to attend the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York was to enable him dissolve and re-compose his lack-luster cabinet, a claim which our investigations reveal is a cover up.
According to medical sources tending to Yar'adua', his health remains precarious. Aso Rock sources say he had mostly been sequestered in his bedroom since last Thursday, putting up minimal appearances at "private meetings" on Monday and Tuesday. The same sources said his appearance in today's Federal Executive Council meeting followed the same pattern.
At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Yar’Adua is being represented by the Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe, as well as the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Michael Aondoakaa.
It is not clear why the Vice-President did not take the place of Yar’Adua, or why two Ministers were needed in New York. Analysts say that ministerial representation at the critical High-Level events taking place this week means that Nigeria can only be a minor player at the Assembly.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that a cabinet reshuffle was in the offing, if the health of Mr. Yar'adua permitted it, but our reporters in Abuja said his continued ill health prevented Yar'adua from finalizing his new cabinet list.
Yar'adua had sent out feelers through some Nigerian local media outlets that his inability to attend the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York was to enable him dissolve and re-compose his lack-luster cabinet, a claim which our investigations reveal is a cover up.
According to medical sources tending to Yar'adua', his health remains precarious. Aso Rock sources say he had mostly been sequestered in his bedroom since last Thursday, putting up minimal appearances at "private meetings" on Monday and Tuesday. The same sources said his appearance in today's Federal Executive Council meeting followed the same pattern.
At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Yar’Adua is being represented by the Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe, as well as the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Michael Aondoakaa.
It is not clear why the Vice-President did not take the place of Yar’Adua, or why two Ministers were needed in New York. Analysts say that ministerial representation at the critical High-Level events taking place this week means that Nigeria can only be a minor player at the Assembly.
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