The Federal Government has directed Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; head of agencies and other political appointees seeking to contest any elective position in the 2023 elections to resign.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to the affected.
The circular entitled, ‘Ministers, heads of government agencies, ambassadors and other appointees with political ambitions was copied to CBN governor to resign.
It reads, “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.”
Read also: APC Presidency: CBN Governor Emefiele under fire to resign
“Consequently, Mr. President has directed that the affected office holders aspiring to run for various offices in the 2023 general election, 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-ministerial departments, agencies and parastatals of government, ambassadors, as well as other political appointees who desire to contest for elective offices.”
According to it, “For smooth running of the machinery of government and our foreign missions, affected ministers 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 foreign service officer in line with established practices.
“Similarly, heads of extra-ministerial departments, agencies and parastatals are to hand over to the most senior director/officer as may be peculiar to the organisation, in line with the service wide Circular No. SGF.50/S. Il/C.2/268 of 4th December, 2017.
“The contents of this circular and the incidental directives take effect immediately,” the circular added.
Last week, a group of Nigerian farmers purchased the APC presidential nomination form for Emefiele. However, he distanced himself from the group but said that God will direct him on whether he will be running for President on not.
On Monday May 9,the court refused to grant his prayer in a lawsuit he filed against INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over plans to disqualify him from contesting the APC presidential primaries.
In furtherance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on Wednesday, some Ministers have resigned from the Federal Executive Council.
So far, Emeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education; Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Dr. Ogbonnaya, Minister of Science and Technology; and Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of Transportation have thrown in the towel.
