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| Nigerian MPs approve 39 ministers | Nigerian MPs approve 39 ministers |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Nigerian senators have confirmed the appointment of 39 ministers to fill President Umaru Yar'Adua's first cabinet since his election. | Nigerian senators have confirmed the appointment of 39 ministers to fill President Umaru Yar'Adua's first cabinet since his election. |
| But one nominee, Bode Augusto - considered favourite to become finance minister - was rejected by the MPs. | But one nominee, Bode Augusto - considered favourite to become finance minister - was rejected by the MPs. |
| President Yar'Adua is expected to announce the final line-up of his new cabinet shortly. | President Yar'Adua is expected to announce the final line-up of his new cabinet shortly. |
| His spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi, told reporters that the new ministers would be sworn in on Thursday. | |
| The Nigerian constitution requires that at least one minister is appointed from each of the country's 36 states to ensure fair representation. | The Nigerian constitution requires that at least one minister is appointed from each of the country's 36 states to ensure fair representation. |
| Nigerian law also requires the senate to approve all ministerial appointments. | Nigerian law also requires the senate to approve all ministerial appointments. |
| Lawmakers had been trying to confirm the appointments since Mr Yar'Adua forwarded his list of ministerial nominees three weeks ago. | Lawmakers had been trying to confirm the appointments since Mr Yar'Adua forwarded his list of ministerial nominees three weeks ago. |
| Unity call | Unity call |
| Correspondents say that the list of nominees includes few high-profile supporters of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, suggesting that his influence might already be on the decline. | Correspondents say that the list of nominees includes few high-profile supporters of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, suggesting that his influence might already be on the decline. |
| The list of ministers also includes some opposition figures, apparently backing up Mr Yar'Adua's promise to form a unity government. | The list of ministers also includes some opposition figures, apparently backing up Mr Yar'Adua's promise to form a unity government. |
| Mr Yar'Adua's governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won a landslide victory in April's elections, according to official results. | Mr Yar'Adua's governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won a landslide victory in April's elections, according to official results. |
| Local and foreign observers said the elections were heavily flawed. | Local and foreign observers said the elections were heavily flawed. |
| Although the opposition parties initially rejected the election results and filed cases in court to challenge the outcome, some backed down when Mr Yar'Adua promised them positions in a government of national unity. | Although the opposition parties initially rejected the election results and filed cases in court to challenge the outcome, some backed down when Mr Yar'Adua promised them positions in a government of national unity. |
| Two leading opposition candidates in the polls, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former military leader Muhammadu Buhari, are pushing ahead with their court cases against Mr Yar'Adua's election. | Two leading opposition candidates in the polls, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former military leader Muhammadu Buhari, are pushing ahead with their court cases against Mr Yar'Adua's election. |
| However, many of their followers have left them to take up jobs in the new PDP government. | However, many of their followers have left them to take up jobs in the new PDP government. |