…To meet all exiting Ministers today
By Uthman Salami
The Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina confirmed yesterday that President, Muhammadu Buhari was yet to receive the resignation letters of the Ministers contesting for one political post or the other following the President’s directive a couple of days ago.
He also explained the President would be meeting with all the affected Ministers during the Federal Executive Meeting scheduled for today.
Adesina stated this when he featured in a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, which was monitored by Nigerian NewsDirect yesterday.
He said, “I read that the Minister of Science and Technology has resigned, but I cannot confirm that any of them has indeed resigned.
“Because their resignation letter will not come directly to the President, but to the SGF.
“It is the SGF that will confirm. If the SGF had not transmitted such to the president, how would I know?”
While speaking on the programme, Adesina said his principal’s directive to the ministers and other political appointees seeking elective positions in 2023 to resign came at the right time.
A few hours after Buhari’s order, the quartet of Godwill Akpabio (Niger Delta), Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technology) and Emeka Nwajiuba (Education) were reported to have left the cabinet.
He said: “That was the right time for it. When it is time for something it is done. When it is done prematurely, it is not the right time.”
“There’s a Federal Executive Council meeting tomorrow. Everybody that is exiting the government is meeting the President 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (Friday).
“I think it is even in their own interests to resign so that they can concentrate on their aspirations. And it is also in the interest of the government.”
The President’s Spokesperson said, “The King’s word is powerful. When the president speaks, it has the force of law behind it. Anybody that needed to see him, should see him.”
He further explained that no one could second guess what the President had in store, noting that “We can’t preempt the President. He left a window of opportunity open, that anyone of them that need to see him concerning the directive should do so.”
Whilst advising the cabinets’ members whose ambitions may be hindered by the order, he said, “Anybody who was serious about running, and had paid, should follow the directive.
“You recall the interview the president granted to your station. He said he has a preferred candidate, but he would not disclose to avoid any mischief from happening. That shows he will be involved in the process; but whether he would impose the candidate, we cannot say.”
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday directed the members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other political appointees with designs in next year’s elections to leave their posts latest by May 16.
Recall that Nigerian NewsDirect had reported that at least four political appointees, vying for elective posts under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had resigned owing to the announcement for all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) interested in the 2023 general elections to quit the cabinet.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said he would consult his people and President Muhammadu Buhari respectively before he takes any decision.
He said this while reacting to President Muhamadu Buhari’s directive that all ministers vying for any elective office in 2023 should resign.
Meanwhile, a few hours after the presidency’s order, the Minister of Labour and Empowerment, Chris Ngige said he was not in a hurry to resign from his appointment and that he has to consult with President Muhamadu Buhari and his constituents before tendering any resignation letter.
According to him, Buhari gave a window for those that need clarifications on his pronouncement to meet him.
“I have no reaction for now because the President said if anyone wants clarifications, the person should meet him.
“So I have to consult him and consult my constituents, Anambra state because I am holding the office for the government and my constituents,” he said.