11th August, 2010
President Goodluck Jonathan this morning announced a minor cabinet reshuffle with the posting of Mr Remi Babalola, Minister of State for Finance to Special Duties ministry while the former holder of that office, Caleb Olubolade, was appointed Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory.
The President also appointed Kenneth Gbagi as Minister of State for Education while Yabawa Lawan was appointed to replace Babalola as Minister of State for Finance.
Jonathan also appointed Salamoju Suleiman as minister of state for Foreign Affairs.
The president swore in the new ministers before the commencement of today’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Though no reason was adduced for Babalola’s redeployment by the President, it was widely believed that the Oyo State-born politician ran into trouble when he said some weeks ago that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was insolvent and cannot fulfill its financial obligations. He made the assertion at the meeting of Federal Account Allocation Council (FAAC).
The Federal Government immediately denied the assertion.
The other newly sworn-in ministers who are members of ANPP were appointed in tune with the Government of National Unity,GNU, arrangement on the basis of the recent deal their party struck with the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Oluokun Ayorinde/ Abuja