The cabinet continued to govern for a few weeks under Acting President Goodluck Jonathan after Yar'Adua fell terminally ill.

Several of the remaining ministers assumed temporary responsibility for other ministries pending confirmation hearings for the Yar'Adua's new nominees.

The move was apparently an effort to speed up resolution of the Niger Delta Conflict.

[5] The cabinet became part of a power struggle within the Nigerian government after Yar'Adua became extremely ill and left Nigeria to seek treatment in Saudi Arabia, without transferring power to Goodluck Johnathan, his vice-president.

[6][7] Johnathan dissolved the cabinet on 17 March 2010 in what The New York Times called "the strongest assertion yet of his authority over a country where his rule has been challenged".