To quell further governance issues, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed that all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) seeking elective offices to resign on or before Monday.
The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council meeting.
About nine members are affected, including the ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; and Petroleum (State), Timipre Sylva.
All of the above have already expressed interest to join the presidential race under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others such as the Ministers of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, is vying for the Kebbi State governor seat; State for Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, for Abia State governorship, and Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, seeking to contest for a senatorial seat in Plateau State.
Mohammed however said the order excludes Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, because he is an elected member of the cabinet.
He informed that any amendment or additions to this directive will be disseminated accordingly; adding that if the need arises, the directive might involve other political appointees.
Any amendment or additions to this directive will be disseminated accordingly. And if the need arises, the directive might involve other political appointees.
Corporate governance
Prior to the decision, the continued stay of the cabinet members after declaring their interests in various elective offices had caused quite a stir in the area of corporate governance relating to conflicts of interest, oversight, accountability, transparency, and violations of ethics.
While some analysts believe the resignation of the nine cabinet members may have implications on governance of the country, others dismissed such fears, saying the existing structures in relation to the management of the ministries are strong enough to withstand any administrative glitches until new members are appointed.
The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; was the first to tender his resignation on April 28, a decision that Buhari commended during the FEC meeting.
Sequel to the order, the Ministers Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, and Minister Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, have also resigned immediately.
However, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, insisted he would consult with the President, to seek clarification on the matter.
