Ten ministers have resigned to run for political offices, following a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The Minister of Information and Culture, announced this Friday while briefing State House reporters after a valedictory session held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
Mohammed listed the former ministers who attended the session as Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technological Innovation), Timipre Sylva (State, Petroleum Resources), Tayo Alasoadura (State, Niger Delta Affairs), Dame Tallen Paulen (Women Affairs), Uche Ogar (State, Mines and Steel Development), Abubakar Malami (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) and Emeka Nwajuba (State for Education) who was absent but with permission.
They tendered resignation letters in compliance with a circular issued by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), asking political appointees seeking to contest the 2023 elections to resign.
Some of them have either purchased the presidential, governorship, or legislative nomination and expression of interest forms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The controversial Section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act has stated that no political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the nomination of candidates for any election.
A source said “Mr President used the occasion to thank the outgoing members of cabinet for their sacrifices and services. Mr. President also in addition to wishing them success in their endeavor, expressed the confidence that given the expertise, experience, and what they must have garnered during their years in office, they like other aspirants are fully equipped to run the affairs of the state.
When pressed further about whether Nigerians should ea expect a replacement or reshuffle meant anytime soon, he said: “Yes. I said the Minister to be replaced very soon without delay he said so. I don’t know about the reshuffled. He said the vacancies would be replaced very soon.”
It’s a good one.