The Federal Government has released the list of persons that must resign immediately if they have ambition to contest in the 2023 elections. This follows President Muhammad Buhari’s directive on Wednesday that all ministers and political appointees with political ambition must resign to avoid clash of interest. The President’s directive coincides with Court of Appeal which nullified an earlier ruling regarding the provisions of section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act. The affected persons are 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. The 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, for smooth running of the machinery of government and foreign missions.
This was contained in a circular with Ref.No.SGF/OP/I/S.3/XII/173, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and dated May 11, 2022. The circular reads in part: “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. 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. 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
