By Emmanuel Nduka
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has issued a circular to drive the enforcement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation order to some of his cabinet members who have political aspirations in 2023.
In the circular seen by Heritage Times HT on Thursday morning, the SGF escalated Buhari’s directive to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and other heads of extra-ministerial departments, agencies, parastatals of goverment, ambassadors and other political office holders who are vying for political offices in the forthcoming election.
The circular directed that 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.
“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 Goverment, 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 Elections, 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. I/C 2/268 of 4 December, 2017,” the circular read.
The circular with reference number SGF/OP/ I/S.3/XII/ 173, and titled: ‘Ministers, heads of government agencies, ambassadors and other appointees with political ambitions to resign’, also informed that its “contents and the incidental directives, takes immediate effect”.
