President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered all ministers and aides intending to contest the 2023 elections to step down.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President.

According to the directive, it will no longer be business as usual and those affected are to tender their resignation on or before Monday.

He said: ”The mandate I have from the president is to announce that all members of the Federal Executive Council contesting for elective office must resign their ministerial cabinet appointments on or before Monday, the 16th of May, 2022.”

When asked if the directive affects the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is vying for the post of president, the minister said: “The Vice President was elected, he was not appointed. As of this moment, the mandate I have is for members of the Federal Executive Council.

When asked about the purported interest in running for office of president, Lai said, “Subsequently, it might affect other political appointees but that will be made known. If there is going to be any amendment or any inclusion, you will be informed in due course,” he added.

NAN reports that those who will be affected are Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio.

Others are Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu and Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba.

Also included are the Ministers of State for Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar as well as Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, said to be running for governorship seats of Abia and Kebbi respectively.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Paulline Tallen, who declared her ambition to contest for a senatorial seat in Plateau will also have to step down.