By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
Seven members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday agreed to issue their resignation letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to run for elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
The resignation is expected to take effect from Monday, October 20, 2014 in line with the guidelines for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for primaries scheduled for next month.
The cabinet members are Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku (from Nasarawa state); Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom (from Benue state); Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike (from Rivers state); Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro (from Lagos state); Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu (from Abia state); Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (from Ebonyi state) and the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku (from Taraba state).
Speaking at a valedictory FEC session, President Goodluck Jonathan said none of the seven ministers officially informed him of their intention to quit the cabinet, saying they would only cease to be ministers if they make it official.
He said: “As we are talking nobody has written and we have not dropped anybody, people should not say we have dropped ministers, no. We have not dropped any ministers. They are still ministers of council but assuming between now and next council if they decide to go on with their plans, is only proper we wish them well, assuming we don’t see them again.
“But if they change their plans they will continue to be with us but after receiving the letters and they changed their minds it will be too late. So, if they have to change their minds they have to change their minds before sending the letter to the secretary of government.”
Speaking on behalf of the ministers that indicated interest to quite the cabinet, Mr. Maku, thanked the president for the opportunity given to them to serve the nation as ministers.
