Wednesday, May 11, 2022 / 2.00PM / by Ottoabasi Abasiekong for WebTV / Header Image Credit: Government of Nigeria

As the primaries for the 2023 general elections gathers momentum President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has directed all cabinet members with political ambitions to tender their resignation letter on or before Monday, May 16, 2022.

The following cabinet members have indicated an interest in vying for the 2023 Presidency; they include Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister for Science and Technology; Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs; Mr. Timipre Sylva, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour & Employment and Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State, Education. 

The Electoral Act 2022 Section 84(12) stipulates that "political appointees cannot participate in the electioneering process which includes the primaries of their respective political parties. This is only possible when they resign from their office."

At the state level, most political office holders, from Commissioners to other appointees, resigned their positions to fulfill the provisions of the amended Electoral Act and the directive of Governors.

This development comes when the nation requires stiffer governance compliance and fewer political posturings that hurt institutional integrity and global best governance practice. 

With the President's directive, a cabinet reshuffling could occur in May or June 2022.

Ministers mentioned above have purchased forms to contest for the office of President on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).