Instant View: Nigeria's acting leader dissolves cabinet

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved the cabinet Wednesday in a further step to assert his authority a month after assuming full powers in the absence of ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Following are reactions from analysts:

KAYODE AKINDELE, DIRECTOR, GREENGATE STRATEGIC PARTNERS

"It is a bold move by the Acting President and suggests he is pretty confident that Yar'Adua will not be returning to office.

"However this move could lead to a legal challenge on his authority by disaffected former ministers as well as lead to a protracted horsetrading among interest groups and in the Senate confirmation process (of new ministers).

"The caliber and make-up of the list of new nominees will be a key barometer of the direction the government will now take."

ALAN CAMERON, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA ANALYST, BUSINESS MONITOR INTERNATIONAL

"Goodluck Jonathan's decision to dissolve the cabinet shows that he is gaining confidence in his authority as Acting President, and that he sees a need to consolidate his position before proceeding with his program of reform.

"While such a radical change is not without risk, popular support for Jonathan has become strong enough that his decisions are unlikely to be opposed -- or at least not successfully.

"With the 2011 elections fast approaching, and Yar'Adua's political career seemingly finished, it looks increasingly likely that Jonathan will be formally sworn in."

BISMARCK REWANE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES

"It's giving him a chance to pick a new team. Let's wait and see who the new team is made up of. This is an opportunity for him to have a new beginning, but he has only 12 months to go.

"A point had come where there was a disconnect between the cabinet and leadership (in the presidency), so it's only fair for him to pick his own team.

"It's difficult for him to deliver on his programs with another man's team."

AYODELE THOMPSON, DIRECTOR, INITIATIVE FOR PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS

"The dissolution of cabinet is to enable him to carry out a quick surgical operation on some programs which he has itemized, like power supply, roads...

"He has a very short term to spend. Dissolving the cabinet is to enable him to get some key people in the key sectors ...

"I am very sure that those who will be appointed in key ministries are those people who are already very conversant with what is happening in those key ministries which he has identified as top priorities."

(Reporting by Chijioke Ohuocha and Nick Tattersall)