Nigerian President Buhari urged all ministers who wish to run in next year’s elections to resign

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has asked all ministers who wish to run in next year’s elections to step down by this Wednesday, May 16, 2022.

After major revisions to Nigeria’s electoral law in February of this year, the electoral law was amended. Under the new electoral law, no political candidate can run or even vote in the party’s primaries.

After the Nigerian cabinet meeting, Lai Mohammed told reporters that
“The president has ordered all members of the Federal Executive Council who are running for elected office to resign by May 16 as this may affect other government appointees in due course and this is contrary to the new electoral law.”

But this decision only applies to some ministers because vice president Yemi Osinbajo, who wants to run for president, is exempt from this directive, as he was elected at the same time as the outgoing president.

As elections in Nigeria approaches, Buhari’s party has gathered all progressives and will hold primary elections so candidates can be selected for certain ministries, including the post of president, later in the month.
Presidential and legislative elections will be held jointly in February 2023.