Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who attended a valedictory session last Friday with President Muhammadu Buhari are attending this week’s virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Ministers with eight others, who indicated interests in contesting various offices in 2023 general elections, were asked to resign their appointments immediately by the President, Nation reported.
However, four of the Ministers, including those of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; Malami and Tallen, beat a retreat last week, stating they would prefer to continue as Ministers and withdrew seeking elective offices.
While Malami was gunning for the governorship of his Kebbi home state, Tallen was going to attempt wrestling the Plateau South senatorial ticket with Governor Simon Lalong and others.
Before commencement of the Council Council meeting presided over by President Buhari, a minute silence was held in honour of former Minister of Communications under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime, Olawole Adeniji Ige, who died at 83.
Those physically in attendance are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha;, Head of the Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, and National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (retd).
Other Ministers in attendance include those of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Power Abubakar Aliyu; Federal Capital Territory Mohammed Bello; Aviation Hadi Sirika; Communication and Digital Economy Isa Pantami; Environment Mohammed Abdullahi; Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed; Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola and Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
Others are Minister of State for Health, Olorunimbe Mamora; Agric Mustapha Shehuri and Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba.