By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Two ministers who had earlier indicated their interests to leave their ministerial positions to contest elective offices in their states of origin attended the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
The two ministers who made u-turn in their bid to vie for gubernatorial and senatorial positions respectively in the 2023 elections, are the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami who was part of those physically present in the meeting at the Council Chambers.
Also, Women Affairs Minister, Paulline Tallen, who showed interest to contest the senatorial seat in Plateau State, joined virtually.
President Buhari had last week’s
Friday bade farewell to the 10 out-going members of FEC at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chambers with the duo in full attendance.
Malami shelved his ambition of vying for the governorship seat of Kebbi State and remain in the cabinet until 2023 while Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who also made a u-turn on his presidential ambition, was however, not part of the meeting during the opening session where members of the press were permitted to be part of.
Before the commencement of the meeting, 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 present are the Vice President, Professor 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 who are also in attendance include the Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Power, Abubakar Aliyu, Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, Aviation, Hadi Sirika and Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.
Others are Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, and Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
Others are Minister sof State for Health, Olorunimbe Mamora, Agric, Mustapha Shehuri and Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba.
