The Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA, Mr Paul Ikonne has ignored President Muhammadu Buhari’s order for political appointees seeking elective positions to resign from office.
Ikonne is running for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Abia State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC and was screened on Saturday.
The president issued the directive at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. It was disclosed to journalists by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
Mr Mohammed only referred to cabinet members. However, a circular by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation later clarified that all appointees of the president are affected.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this circular affects all Ministers, Heads and Members of Extra-Minsterial Departments, Agencies and Parastatats 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 Minsters 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 Senor Foreign Service Officer in line with established practices.”
On Friday, ten ministers seeking elective positions resigned their appointments from the Federal Executive Council to pursue their 2023 political interest.
In a brief meeting with the outgoing ministers on Friday, President Buhari thanked them for their cooperation as he urged other members of the cabinet to be more diligent and committed to the success of the administration.
The affected ministers include Minister State for Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen.
Others are the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Goodwill Akpabio; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura.
Amaechi, Nwajuiba, Nigige, Akpabio, Onu and Sylva have all picked the presidential nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Malami has also declared interest in the governorship position in his home state of Kebbi.
Running for the governorship position in Abia State is Uche Ogah while Tallen has also declared her ambition to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State.
Like his boss, Alasoadura, had also picked up relevant forms to contest for the Ondo Central Senatorial seat on the platform of APC.
