President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Ministers aspiring to be President in 2023 to resign immediately.
The President gave the quit notice at the tail end of the Federal Executive Council, while announcing the receipt of the resignation of State Minister of Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, who is seeking to be President.
He said: “I expect other members of this council seeking to be President to resign with immediate effect.”
Those affected by the president’s order include Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio.
Others are Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu and Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba.
Also included are the Ministers of State for Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar as well as Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, said to be running for governorship seats of of Abia and Kebbi respectively.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Paulline Tallen, who declared her ambition to contest for a senatorial seat in Plateau, is also expected to resign her appointment.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said: ”The mandate I have from the president is to announce that all members of the Federal Executive Council contesting for elective office must resign their ministerial cabinet appointments on or before Monday, the 16th of May, 2022.”
When asked if the directive affects the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is vying for the post of president, the minister said: ”The Vice President was elected, he was not appointed.”
On the fate of other political appointees like the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who had been linked with the contest for the presidency in 2023, the minister said the directive might be extended to non-cabinet members.
”As of this moment, the mandate I have is for members of the Federal Executive Council.”
Subsequently, it might affect other political appointees but that will be made known.
”If there is going to be any amendment or any inclusion, you will be informed in due course,” he added.