Amaechi, Ngige, Malami, others resign as Buhari bids ministers farewell
AREWA AGENDA – Not fewer than 10 Ministers have officially resigned from President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet following the instruction by the presidency to tender their resignation letters so as to pursue their political ambition in the 2023 elections.
This is according to a farewell valedictory session that was held for the outgoing Ministers on Friday morning at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed also confirmed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the validatory session at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
On the other hand, President Buhari stated that after his administration entered office in 2015, ”Selecting members of the Cabinet went through a careful process so that the best and most competent could emerge. The performance of that class of 2015 proved me right.
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In 2019, Nigerians similarly re-elected me as President. Again the selection went through another meticulous process.
”That re-election was significant because it served as a referendum on our performance during the first term and it inspired me to bring back some of the members of the first cabinet either to their old Ministries or re-assigned to other sectors.
”New members were also brought on board to inject fresh energies, skills and ideas to enhance the execution of government’s programs and policies.
”With these and much more, I am happy to note that a significant number of cabinet members have become sufficiently equipped to aspire to higher elective offices, including the Office of the President.
“This shows the impact of the experience gathered while serving as members of the Federal Executive Council,” he said.
The president stated that his administration had made progress in areas including infrastructure, agriculture, health systems, financial management, administration of justice, and building social safety net systems.
Bidding the ministers farewell, President Buhari said, ”I have no doubt that if the next president emerges from among former members of this cabinet, like any other aspirant, ample competence and outstanding service delivery would be on display. This will be part of our legacies to Nigerians.”
He praised the Ministers for serving Nigeria ”with dignity and honour”, adding that some have complied while others are in the process of doing so.
”I wish you success in the upcoming elections and in your future endeavours,” he said.
Ministers respond to Buhari’s message
Senator Akpabio, speaking on behalf of the Ministers stated that ”As we step aside from FEC, I want you to know that you have disciples in us. I want you to know that it is time for us to propagate Buharism.
”I want you to know that we are going to be working closely with the Minister of Information and Culture to take your message of transformation, love, patience, and administrative sagacity to Nigerians,” he said.
Those at the valedictory session include Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment), Godswill Akpabio (Niger Delta Affairs), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (Science and Technological Innovation), Timipre Sylva (State, Petroleum Resources), Tayo Alasoadura (State, Niger Delta Affairs), Dame Tallen Paulen (Women Affairs), Uche Ogar (State, Mines and Steel Development), Abubakar Malami (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) and Emeka Nwajuba (State for Education) who was absent but with a permission.
