The opposition's so-called "Nauru solution" for asylum seekers is in doubt with the sudden resignation today of Nauru's president Marcus Stephen and foreign minister Keiren Keke.

The two men were pivotal in supporting the Coalition's policy to reopen an asylum seeker processing centre on Nauru for boat arrivals, and had met Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison on their tour of Nauru in June.

Outgoing Nauru foreign minister Keiren Keke and president Marcus Stephen photographed with shadow immigration minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in June.

Mr Keke, in particular, had travelled to Australia during the 2010 election campaign to meet Mr Abbott and promote his slogan to "stop the boats" and "pick up the phone to Nauru".

Mr Morrison was unaware of the shake-up in the Nauru government when contacted by the Herald today.