2023: Onu, Akpabio Quit FEC For Presidential Contest
BY EDMOND ODOK – Hours after President Muhammadu Buhari demanded the immediate resignation from office by his political appointees over conflict of interest, two Cabinet Ministers have called it quit to focus on their presidential ambitions.
The twosome, who have resigned their membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) are Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu.
Their decision is in line with the presidential directive at Wednesday’s FEC meeting where all cabinet members eyeing elective offices were ask to resign before May 16, 2022.
Confirming the latest development, Personal Assistant to the Minister on Media, Jackson Udom, said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha already has Senator Akpabio’s letter resigning from President Buhari’s cabinet on his table.
According to Jackson; “The Minister has resigned. He has submitted his resignation letter to the SGF. We are waiting for him at the ICC, where he is coming to submit his nomination form”.
Similarly, it was gathered that Dr Onu has also sent his letter of resignation to the SGF for information and necessary action.
Both Akpabio and Onu, who are former governors of Akwa Ibom State and Old Abia State, respectively, are presidential aspirants on the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s platform.
First to take the honourable step of quitting his office was the Minister of State for Education, Emeke Nwajiuba, who is also prosecuting the presidential project, a move graciously applauded by President Buhari.
Going by recent development, many are already expecting a gale of resignations from the President Buhari’s administration, especially names like Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; and Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
Others expected to exit the Cabinet shortly are Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipriye Sylva; Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah; and Minister of Women Affairs, Paullen Tallen.
Aside from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the presidential order covers all FEC members currently seeking nominations for various elective positions as candidates of the ruling party.
Insiders hinted the President’s order may not be unconnected with recent ruling by the Court of Appeal dismissing the suit that challenged section 84(12) of the electoral act.
In setting aside the Federal High Court in Umuahia ruling which described the section as unconstitutional, the Court of Appeal though agreed the section was unconstitutional, held that the Court in Umuahia lacked jurisdiction to handle on the case.
Also, the appellate court maintained that the plaintiff, Nduka Edede, does not have the locus standi to have filed the case.
