President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all ministers, heads, and members of extra-ministerial departments, agencies and parastatals of government, ambassadors as well as other appointees with political ambition to step down.
The latest order was contained in a circular signed on Wednesday by secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
“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 read.
This followed Buhari’s order for members of his cabinet seeking offices in next year’s poll to resign.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele, who is running for president, is also affected by the latest order.
Mustapha noted that those affected should hand over to the most senior persons next to them.
“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 Ambassadors shall hand over to their Deputy Heads of Mission or the most senior Foreign Service Officer in line with established practices,” he explained.
“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. II/0.2/268 of 4th December 2017.”
