President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday swore in the new set of ministers cleared by the Senate.
Embattled former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, (Lagos) was sworn in as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs II, while Nicholas Ada (Benue) is now the Minister of State Foreign Affairs I.
Mr. Obanikoro had resigned his appointment to run for the Lagos governorship ticket under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, but lost to Jimi Agbaje.
Mr. Obanikoro’s nomination and final clearance by the Senate had been embroiled in controversy as he was fingered in the Ekiti State rigging scandal evidenced by an audio recording.
Nigerians including the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress, opposed his nomination but the Senate President David Mark, said Mr. Obanikoro’s clearance was constitutional and in line with the Senate’s tradition.
Mr. Jonathan also made minor cabinet reshuffle as he named Alhassan Khaliru the Minister of Health while Fidelis Nwankwo, is now the new Minister of State for Health.
Other ministers sworn in the presence of Council members, friends and family members include: Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa) as Minister of Information; and Augustine Akobundu (Abia State) as Minister of State, Defence.
Others are Hauwa’u Bappa, as Minister of State Niger Delta Affairs; Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) as Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment; Joel Ikenya (Taraba), Minister of Labour
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