The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has clarified the resignation directive by President Muhammadu Buhari in a circular dated May 11.
The circular said that the Presidential order is not limited to the members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) but to all ministries, departments, and agencies.
It reads in part: “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 Elections, 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 organization, 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.”
