Ahead of the 2023 general elections, 10 ministers have tendered their resignation in compliance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Directives.
The Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this known during a press briefing at the States House on Friday.
President Buhari, has at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, directed all public office holders interested in running for political offices in the next election to resign in provision to the Section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act.
According to Lai Mohammed, the following Ministers have resigned from their political appointed offices; Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister for Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; Minister for Science and Technological Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Others include, 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).
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has ordered political appointees seeking to contest the 2023 elections to resign in compliance to the amended Electoral Act stating 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 purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
Lai Mohammed said in his statement that, “This morning, there was a valedictory service for 10 members of the Federal Executive Council who have indicated their desire to aspire for higher offices. Nine of them were present the 10th was absent with apology.
“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 endevour, also expressed the confidence that giving the expertise, the 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.”