Minor Cabinet Reshuffle As Jonathan Swaps Two Ministers

In a surprising move, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday effected a minor cabinet reshuffle – swapping Ministers of State Power and Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Darius Dickson and Hajia Zainab Ibrahim-Kuchi, respectively.

This change was disclosed by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the president at the State House.

According to Abati, the president directed that Dickson should, with effect from next week, move to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as Minister of State while Ibrahim-Kuchi should resume as Minister of State for Power.

Abati said “The President directed that the two ministers should swap positions with effect from next week, the Minister of State Niger Delta and the Minister of State Power.

‘’In that regard, the Minister of State Power Mr. Darius Dickson becomes the Minister of State Niger Delta and the Minister of State Niger Delta, Hajia Zaina Kuchi, becomes the Minister of State Power.’’

Fielding questions from State House correspondents, Abati explained that the change had nothing to do with the situation of power in the country.

He maintained that even after the exit of erstwhile power minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji, the power situation had continued to improve.