President Muhammadu Buhari has in addition to ministers directed heads of agencies and departments including the Central Bank Governor, and envoys who have political ambitions to resign.
This is contained in circular to the Chief of Staff to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice-President, Honourable Ministers/MInisters of State, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, amongst others signed by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to Government of the Federation, dated Wednesday.
Buhari had at Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday asked Ministers who have signified interest to contest election to resign from their positions.
Some MInisters including Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment; Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of science, techology and innovation; Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education; Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation; Timpriye Sylva, minister of state for petroleum are contesting for the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket.
Read also: Nasarawa establishes small claims court to boost small businesses
Also Attorney General of the federation and Justice MInister, Abubakar Malami is contesting for Kebbi governorhsip election while Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor is constesting for the presidency.
The circular obtained by BusinessDay read: “Mr. President has observed and noted the expression of interest and intention by some members of the Federal Executive Council, Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Agencies, Parastatals of Government, Ambassadors and other Political office holders to contest the upcoming Presidential, Gubernatorial, National and State Assemblies elections.
“Consequently, Mr President has directed that the affected Office holders aspiring to for various offices in the 2023 General Electrons should tender their resignation on or before Monday, the 16th of May, 2022.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this directive affects all Ministers, Heads and Members of Extra-Ministenal Departments, Agencies and Parastatals of Government, Ambassadors as well as other political appointees who desire to contest for elective offices.
“For smooth running of the machinery of government and our forergn Missions, affected Mtnrsters are to hand over to Ministers of State where they exist or to the Permanent Secretary, where there is no Minister of State. Ambassadors shall hand over to their Deputy Heads of Mission or the most Senior Forergn Service Officer.
“Similarly, Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Agencies and Parastatals are to hand over to the most senior Drrector/Officer as may be peculiar to the organisation, in line with the service wide Circular No. SGF.50/S./0 2/268 of 4th December. 2017.
“The contents of this circular and the incidental directives take effect immediately.”
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
