By; SUNDAY ODE, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked all his ministers who have ambition to contest elections next year to resign their appointments on or before Monday, May 16, 2022.
This was announced to State House Correspondents by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. after the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Mohammed, the President gave the directive at FEC.
“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.”
Asked if the directive would be extended to other federal appointees outside the cabinet, like the Central Bank Governor, who might also be running for the post of President, Mohammed said as of now only ministers of the administration are asked to resign.
“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 stressed.
Those affected are Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; who have joined the presidential race on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Others are those of Justice and Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, who is running for governorship position in Cross Rivers State, the Minister of Women Affairs, Paulline Tallen, who declared her ambition to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State.
Only the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo whom he affirmed was an elected official may not need to resign.
