2023: Buhari directs Emefiele, other public office holders with political ambition to resign

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all public office holders wishing to contest positions in the 2023 general polls to quit their current posts.

Solacebase had reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emiefele recently lost a bid  from the court to shield him from being disqualified to contest for the presidential ticket of any political party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Mr Emefiele’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome had urged the court to issue an interim order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from disqualifying him from participating in the primary election of his preferred political party.

Buhari gave the directive in a circular issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha.

Mustapha said the president had observed and noted the expression of interest and intention by some members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), heads of extra-ministerial departments, agencies, parastatal agencies of government and ambassadors.

“Consequently, Mr President has directed that the affected office holders aspiring to run for various offices in the 2023 general elections should tender their resignation on or before Monday, May 16.

“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, “ the SGF said.

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According to him, for the smooth running of the machinery of government and foreign missions, the affected ministers are to hand over to the Ministers of State where they exist or to the Permanent Secretaries, where there is no Minister of State.

“Ambassadors shall hand over to their Deputy Heads of Mission or the most senior foreign officer in line with established practices.

“Similarly, heads of extra-ministerial departments, agencies and parastatals are to hand over to the most senior directors/officers as may be peculiar to the organisation, in line with the service wide circular No. SGF.50/S.II/C.2/268 of Dec.4, 2017,“ have said.

According to the SGF, the directive takes immediate effect. (NAN)