President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday held valedictory session for 10 outgoing ministers seeking elective public office in the 2023 general election at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this while addressing journalists shortly after the session.
Mohammed said that nine of the outgoing ministers were present for the session.
He added that not all the 10 ministers aspiring for political office, had resigned from office as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This morning, there was a valedictory session for 10 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) who have indicated their desire to aspire for higher offices,” the minister said.
When asked if all the 10 outgoing ministers had sent in their resignation letters, Mohammed said: “Well, Mr President said some have and others are in the process of doing so.”
He didn't name those that had resigned from office.
President Buhari had on Thursday mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele and other appointees with political ambition to resign on or before May 16.
The directive followed the decision of the Court of Appeal to dismiss a suit that challenged section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, which prohibits appointees from participating in a convention as a delegate or nominee.
The Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; and the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba will all be contesting for president.
Others are the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah; Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura.
Mr Tayo Alasoadura and Dame Pauline Tallen will be running for Senate in Ondo and Plateau States respectively, just as Uche Ogar is seeking Abia State governorship ticket.
Although, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige attended the valedictory session, he later withdrew from the presidential race.
The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs will be the most hit, as both Ministers are affected.
When Mohammed was asked on the possibility of the president re-appointing the departing ministers after the primaries, he said that it would be the decision of the president.
“Only Mr President can say that. I’m just sticking to the speech of Mr President and so, I don’t want to speculate what can happen and what cannot happen,” he said.
He also declined to comment on the fate of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the report of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan joining the race.
Additional Report from PREMIUM TIMES
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