…Replacements would be made without delay

…It’s a tale of “Sadness and Joy”, Says Akpabio

It was a mixed-blend of feelings inside the Federal Executive Council chamber on Friday when President Muhammadu Buhari held a valedictory session with 10 of his ministers who have resigned their appointments in pursuit of personal political ambitions.

Their presence in the chamber today was both nostalgic and melancholic as that could be the last time most of them would be in that hall as ministers. Some of them have served as ministers since the first term of the President and may have cumulatively put in about seven years in service. In fact, Senator Godswill Akpabio who responded on behalf of the departing ministers captured the mood when he said from his interactions with his colleagues, leaving the cabinet was like the story of the Spanish play of ‘‘sadness and joy.’’

Without doubt some of them have been jolted by the sudden announcement on Wednesday for them to submit their letters of resignation at the weekly Federal Executive Council Meeting. It was a shocking directive least expected at the time it was given. Request for their resignation, however, coincided with the validation of section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022, by the Court of Appeal which ruled against the Abia High Court judgment on ground of appellant’s lack of locus standi.

President Buhari also put in good words and appreciated the ministers for their cooperation while admonishing the remaining members of the cabinet to be more diligent and committed to the success of the administration.

The president was full of sweet words for the departing ministers noting that a significant number of them had been sufficiently equipped to aspire to higher elective offices, including the Office of the President. ”I have no doubt that if the next President emerges from among former members of this cabinet, like any other aspirant, ample competence and outstanding service delivery would be on display. This will be part of our legacies to Nigerians.”

He commended them for serving the nation sacrificially, “with dignity and honour” noting “some have complied with his directive while others are in the process of doing so. ”I would like to use this opportunity to commend your decision and courage to contest for elective offices and your compliance with my directive. I also wish to thank you for your invaluable services to this nation through your contributions as Cabinet members.

Buhari told the ministers that looking back as the head of the team over the years, he had fond memories of incisive and robust discussions during cabinet meetings, rendering of performance reports during special sessions and presidential retreats. ”I wish you success in the upcoming elections and in your future endeavours,” he said.

Turning to the remaining members of the cabinet President Buhari urged them to show more diligence, resilience and commitment to serve Nigerians better, saying ‘‘the journey to the finish line is still very far. Like always, there will be challenges to address, programmes to deliver and policies to implement. You must therefore brace up for more work and target increased accomplishments”.

Responding on behalf of the outgoing ministers, Senator Akpabio thanked the President for giving them the opportunity to serve and contribute their quota to nation building, describing working with the President as a ‘‘fantastic and knowledgeable experience,’’ adding that as they step aside they will continue to be great disciples of Buhari.

Senator Akpabio told the president that from his interactions with colleagues leaving the cabinet was like the story of the Spanish play of ‘‘sadness and joy. Sadness in the sense that we are going to miss the continuous daily and weekly interaction with a father and learning from him; joy because we now have an opportunity to go to the wider audience in Nigeria to speak more of your achievements for this country. ”

While lauding the president’s deep patriotism, Akpabio said “he (Buhari) is the best president Nigeria could ever have had at a time of difficult circumstances.” He prayed God Almighty to grant the president a successful tenure and protect his family, adding: “May one of us succeed you in order to continue the good legacies you have laid on ground.

Those who were at the meeting include the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Uche Ogar; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen.

Others are the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Goodwill Akpabio; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu.

Nine of them were physically present while the former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, who is the tenth, was absent.