Three of Nigeria’s ministers have resigned to pursue their political ambitions of becoming the country’s next president come next year.
Those who tendered their resignation letters on Wednesday are the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio.
The two resigned in compliance with a directive given on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari, that all ministers who plan to contest the 2023 elections should resign on or before May 16, 2022.
Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, had resigned earlier, President Buhari acknowledged at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, where he gave the order to the minister.
It was reported that Buhari had announced Nwajiuba had resigned on April 28, 2022.
All three ministers are among those who have indicated interest to contest in the presidential election next year.
Onu dropped his resignation letter at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Wednesday, reports said.
Akpabio’s resignation was announced in a statement issued by his spokesman, on Wednesday.
“Our attention has been drawn to mischievously written news stories making the rounds by paid agents of some politicians, that the leading presidential aspirant, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has purportedly withdrawn from the presidential race. This is a joke carried too far.
“This is certainly the handiwork of those who are scared of contesting against Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“Senator Akpabio has resigned his appointment as Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and will soon submit his nomination form at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, in line with his party’s guidelines,” Udom said in the statement.
