President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to replace the ministers who resigned from his cabinet to pursue their political ambitions soon.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the disclosure in a chat with State House Correspondents on Friday, Naija News reports.
Mohammed said the President informed the outgoing ministers about his decision to replace them during a valedictory meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The minister quoted the President as saying that he would immediately fill in replacements for the exiting ministers in order not to allow a vacuum in governance.
Mohammed said, “I said the Minister will be replaced very soon without delay, he (The President) said so. I don’t know about reshuffling. He said the vacancies would be replaced very soon.
“You will recall that on Wednesday, Mr. President directed and I informed you that all ministers and other political appointees who aspire to contest for elective offices in 2023 general elections, should resign their current appointments.
“This morning, there was a valedictory service for 10 members of the Federal Council who have indicated their desire to aspire for higher offices. Nine of them were present the 10th was absent with an apology.
“Mr. President used the occasion to thank the outgoing members of cabinet for their sacrifices and services. Mr. President also in addition to wishing them success in their endeavour, also expressed the confidence that given the expertise, the experience and what they must have garnered during their years in office, they like other aspirants are fully equipped to run the affairs of the state.
“Of course, Mr. President also admonished the remaining members of the Cabinet that the journey is still far. And they should all redouble their efforts, be more diligent and be more committed to the success of the administration. At the end of which the outgoing ministers had a group photograph with Mr president and also with the chief of staff and the secretary to the government of the federation.”
The minister, however, disclosed that some of the ministers with political ambitions have tendered their resignation letters while others have not complied with the President’s directive.
He said, “Well. Mr. President said some have and others are in the process of doing so. But he thanked everybody for their compliance.”
Mohammed could not confirm whether the ministers can return to their positions if they jettison their political ambitions.
He said: “Only Mr. President can say that. I’m just sticking to the speech of Mr. President and so I don’t want to speculate what can happen and what cannot happen. But Mr. President’s speech was very clear. He thanked the outgoing ministers for their sacrifice and contribution.”
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