2023: Emefiele, Others Ordered To Resign By President Buhari

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and other serving ministers who have political ambitions in the 2023 elections have been ordered to resign by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The order was given in a circular dated May 11, 2022, with Ref. No.SGF/OP/l/S.3/Xll/173, and issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

It is addressed to all serving ministers, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service and heads of extra-ministerial departments, Directors-General/Chief Executive Officers of parastatals, agencies, and government-owned companies among others.

According to Mustapha, the president had 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.

Mustapha stated that to ensure the smooth running of the machinery of government and the nation's foreign missions, the ministers are to hand over to the Ministers of State where they exist or to the Permanent Secretary, where there is no Minister of State.

Additionally, ambassadors are to 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 circular disclosed.

Mustapha further disclosed that the contents of the circular and the incidental directives take effect immediately.