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Buhari bids farewell as 10 Ministers resign over 2023 political ambitions

President Muhammadu Buhari in FEC Meeting File Photo

*Report indicates  Abubakar Malami, however, has withdrawn from the Kebbi State Governorship race to remain as Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following a clear directive from President Muhammadu Buhari at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, 10 serving Ministers have resigned their appointments to contest different political offices 2023.

ConsumerConnect reports Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister for Information and Culture, announced this development Friday, May 13, 2022, while briefing State House Correspondents shortly after a valedictory session held in the Presidential Villa.

Mohammed disclosed the outgoing Ministers would  be replaced in the FEC soon.

The Minister listed the former Ministers who attended the session as Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Sen. Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Chief Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technological Innovation), Chief Timipre Sylva (Minister of State, Petroleum Resources), Tayo Alasoadura (Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs), Mrs. Dame Tallen Paulen (Women Affairs), Uche Ogar (Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development), Abubakar Malami (Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) and Emeka Nwajuba (Minister of State, Education), who was absent but with a permission.

Malami reportedly withdraws from Kebbi State Governorship race

Nonetheless, it was gathered that hours after the event in Abuja, Malami  had withdrawn from Kebbi State Governorship race.

Abubakar Malami

He is now to remain as Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, according to report.

According to Mohammed, “you will recall that on Wednesday, Mr. President directed and I informed you that all ministers and other political appointees who aspire to contest for elective offices in 2023 general elections should resign their current appointments.

“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.”

The Minister: “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 endeavour, 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.”

In regard to any replacement or reshufflement anytime soon, Mohammed said: “Yes. In fact, I said the Minister to be replaced very soon without delay he said so. I don’t know about reshufflment.

“He said the vacancies would be replaced very soon.”

It is recalled the affected Ministers were said to have tendered their resignation letters in compliance with a circular issued by Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Mustapha had asked political appointees seeking to contest the 2023 elections to resign.

Some of them have either 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.

Accordingly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given the Nigerian political parties June 3, 2022, deadline to submit their candidates for the 2023 General Elections.

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