The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been experiencing a massive shake up, hours after the issuance of a directive compelling all appointees nursing political ambitions in the forthcoming 2023 General elections to vacate their seats.
Since the issuance of the directive, three Ministers of Buhari’s administration have tendered their resignation letters to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
They are; Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, and Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta).
While Onu and Akpabio’s came in the late hours of Wednesday, it was gathered that Nwajiuba had tendered his resignation letter before the President’s directive.
Sources privy to the matter said Nwajiuba, after declaring for presidency had already taken the bold step to vacate his seat as the Minister of State for Education, but was only approved by Buhari upon resumption from the Eid break May 3rd and was officially announced on Wednesday.
The New Diplomat had reported that Buhari on Wednesday finally bowed to pressure when he called the ministers to resign following persistent calls by eminent lawyers and other Nigerians, who argued that their continued stay in office is not in accordance to the Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The order came at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, presided over by Buhari.
Announcing Buhari’s directive, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said, “The mandate I have from the President is to announce that all members of the Federal Executive Council contesting for elective office must resign their ministerial cabinet appointments on or before Monday, May 16, 2022.”
Commenting further on the directive, a strong chieftain of the APC who craved anonymity told members of the press that the screening committee of the party has been mandated to screen out all political appointees who fail to present their copies of letters of resignation and acknowledgement.
The chieftain said all political appointees who have purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms must come with their letters of resignation and acknowledgement ahead of the screening slated for May 13 and 14.
This, according to the source, will ensure the party avoid any upcoming litigation that might be brought up with the provisions of the Section 84(12), which provides 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 added that “From all indications, the party will ask appointees to come with resignation letters and letters of acknowledgement. All those who refuse to resign will just be setting themselves up for disqualification.
“At this point, it will be safe for anyone who is an appointee to just resign whether you are a minister or not. I am sure the APC will be issuing a statement anytime from now on the matter,” the top chieftain was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Akpabio, in a statement issued by his Media aide, Jackson Udom, confirmed that he has resigned his appointment as the Minister of Niger Delta.
“Senator Akpabio has resigned his appointment as Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and will soon submit his nomination form at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, in line with his party’s guidelines”, Udom said in the statement.
Similarly, Onu, who declared for the presidency under the ruling party on May 6, was said to have visited the SGF office where he dropped his letter around 5 pm on Wednesday.
Other affected cabinet members like, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of State Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, who is contesting for the Abia State APC governorship ticket, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who declared her intention to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State.Also affected is the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, who is running for the governorship of Kebbi State. But they are yet to formally announce their resignation from their respective positions, as of press time.
