Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has directed that all political appointees wishing to contest elections either for state or federal offices to resign from their positions latest by Monday May 16.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba disclosed this in a one – paragraph statement on Wednesday.
The statement read: “Imo State Government Special Announcement:
“His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma has directed all political appointees wishing to contest elections either for state or federal offices to resign from their positions latest by Monday May 16th.
Signed: Hon Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Information and Strategy.”
Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, conveyed the president’s directive after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.
Those affected are Ministers of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami; Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba.
Others are the Minister of State Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, who is running for the governorship position in Abia State, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who declared her ambition to contest for the senatorial seat in Plateau State.
According to the Information Minister, the directive excludes the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo because he is an elected member of the cabinet.
The minister added that the directive might involve political appointees if the need arises.