The Federal Government has ordered all Federal public officers interested in contesting in the 2023 general elections to resign immediately.
This directive was contained in a circular with dated May 11, 2022, with Ref.No.SGF/OP/I/S.3/XII/173, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The memo follows a stern directive by President Buhari to his ministers with political ambitions to resign on or before May 16, 2022.
The circular is in line with the provisions of section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, which required political office holders to resign their appointment on or before May 16.
In the category of those affected by the directive in the circular are members of the Federal Executive Council, heads and members of extra-ministerial departments, agencies and parastatals of government, ambassadors, other political appointees with intent to contest in the 2023 General elections.
The memo directed the ministers to hand over to their junior counterparts, or permanent Secretaries.
“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 government, 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 election, 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. Il/C.2/268 of 4th December, 2017.
“The contents of this circular and the incidental directives take effect immediately.”
