BALA KAURA DROPS OUT OF GUBERNATORIAL RACE, AS 7 MINISTERS RESIGN: FCT Minister Bala Mohammed appeared to have suspended his governorship aspiration as he remained in the cabinet even as seven other ministers leave to run for elective positions in their states in 2015. President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday named the seven ministers who were leaving, and Mohammed’s name was not among them. The FCT minister was one of the most visible governorship aspirants among ministers, as his posters flooded Bauchi State. He was also believed to be mobilising for support ahead of the elections. Yesterday, a valedictory Federal Executive Council session was held in honour of the seven out-going ministers. They are Information Minister Labaran Maku (Nasarawa), Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi), Labour Minister Emeka Wogu (Abia), Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Minister of State for Trade and Investment Sam Ortom (Benue) and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs Darius Ishaku (Taraba). The president said the seven ministers would not attend the next FEC meeting unless they shelve their plans to contest in the elections He said they must send their resignation letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, by Monday. The ruling PDP had set October 20 as the deadline for public office holders to resign if they wish to contest in party primaries holding next month. Jonathan said the ministers had served Nigeria meritoriously, adding that he had a very warm relationship with them. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Maku appealed to Jonathan to forgive them of whatever they might have done wrong in the cabinet. Indications that the FCT Minister may not go for the governorship election begun to emerge last week when a group held a protest rally in Abuja urging him to remain behind as minister. Mohammed was a senator from 2007 to 2010 when Jonathan appointed him as minister. He was a member of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), but defected to the PDP after he was appointed minister.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:21:10 +0000
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