[JUST IN] FULL LIST:10 ministers seeking elective positions resign, Buhari bids them farewell

By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Ten ministers have resigned from their positions to run for political offices, following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, held last Wednesday.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Friday while briefing State House correspondents after a valedictory session held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the ministers would soon be replaced.

Mohammed listed the outgoing ministers who attended the session to include 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 Nwajiuba (State, Education), who he said was absent with a permission.

They tendered their resignation letters in compliance with a circular issued the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, asking political appointees seeking to contest the 2023 elections to resign.

They have 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 purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties a deadline of June 3, to submit their candidates for the 2023 elections.