President Muhammadu Buhari has formally directed all political appointees, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, seeking political offices in 2023 to resign.
The directive is contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha.
It is dated May 11, 2022.
The circular reads in part: “Mr President has observed the intention by some members of the Federal Executive Council, heads of extra-ministerial departments, agencies, parastatals 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, 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 circular reads further: “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/officer 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.”
