Ten Nigerian cabinet ministers resign to run in next years election

div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpABUJA Reuters Ten Nigerian cabinet ministers, including the junior petroleum minister, have resigned to run in next years election, the information minister Lai Mohammed said on Friday.p

pOn Thursday, the government asked all ministers, ambassadors, agency heads and other political appointees to resign on or by May 16 if they decide to join the countrys 2023 election race.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

pOther ministers that resigned include ministers of justice, transport, labour, Niger Delta, science and technology and womens affairs. The junior ministers for mines and education also resigned, information minister said.p

pPresident Muhammadu Buhari also acts as the senior petroleum minister.p

pBuhari will step down after serving two fouryear terms following the February 2023 ballot. Buhari on Wednesday directed all appointed officials seeking elected positions to resign including the central bank governor.p

pNigerias political parties are running primary elections later this month and must pick their candidates by June 3.p

p Reporting by Felix OnuahWriting by Chijioke Ohuocha Editing by Toby Choprap

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