The presidential screening committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may likely request copies of the letter of resignation and acknowledgement from the Federal Executive Council during the screening.
According to a new timetable released by Suleiman Argungu, the National Organising Secretary of the party, screening for presidential, governorship, Senate and House of Representatives aspirants will take place on May 14.
NEWSFLASH NIGERIA had earlier reported on Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered all members of the Federal Executive Council who have declared their intention to contest the 2023 elections must step down on or Monday, May 16, 2022.
Party sources stated that copies of the letter of resignation and acknowledgement might form part of the additional stipulations the aspirants were expected to comply with.
Buhari finally bowed to pressure when he called the ministers to resign following persistent calls by eminent lawyers and other Nigerians, who argued that their continued stay in office amounted to a conflict of interest.
The order came at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting which he presided over at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
NEWSFLASH NIGERIA learnt that several appointees and aides had been rushing to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to submit letters of resignation and collect acknowledgement letters.
One of the APC chieftains who wished to remain anonymous said that aspirants might be asked to produce their letters of resignation and acknowledgement copies during their screening.
He said, “From all indications, the party will ask appointees to come with resignation letters and letters of acknowledgement. All those who refuse to resign will just be setting themselves up for disqualification.
“At this point, it will be safe for anyone who is an appointee to just resign whether you are a minister or not. I am sure the APC will be issuing a statement anytime from now on the matter.”
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However, about four ministers have resigned after the directive from President Muhammadu Buhari.
They are the Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; Minister of State For Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Other members of the Cabinet who are still expected to resign are Abubakar Malami, Justice, Uche Ogar, State For Mines and Steel, Chris Ngige, Labour and Employment.
Uche Ogar, who is contesting for the Abia State APC governorship ticket, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen declared her intention to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State. Also affected is the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, who is running for the governorship of Kebbi State.
