President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the ministers vying for elective offices in 2023 to resign their appointments on or before Monday, May 16.
The decision was announced during the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, confirmed it to correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting.
Lai Mohammed, however, said he did not have the mandate to talk on the fate of other political appointees who are also vying for elective positions but are not members of the cabinet.
The only exception is Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who he affirmed as an elected official.
FEC Meeting
Messrs Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnaya Onu, Emeka Nwajiuba, Chris Ngige and Timipre Sylva are by the directive expected to resign their ministerial positions as they have already obtained their expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also affected is the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, who is running for Senate in the 2023 election.
However, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who is vying for office of President, had reportedly turned in his letter of resignation.
Making reference to Nwajiuba, Buhari reportedly said: “I expect other members of this Council seeking to be President to resign with immediate effect.”