(Bloomberg) — Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan appointed eight new ministers on Wednesday before national elections scheduled to start on March 28.
Patricia Akwashiki was sworn in as Minister of Information, Joel Ikenya was made Minister of Labour, Reuben Abati, Jonathan’s spokesman, said in posts on his Twitter account. Six other deputy ministers were also appointed for the defense, foreign, trade and investment, health and Niger Delta departments.
The election pits Jonathan’s ruling People’s Democratic Party against a united opposition, led by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, in what analysts expect will be the tightest contest since the PDP came to power in 1999.
