…To contest for Bayelsa State Governorship
By Laraba Murey, Abuja
After several days of speculation in the Nation’s capital, The Abuja Inquirer can now confirm that Mr. Timi Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum, has voluntarily resigned his appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mr. Sylva has been Minister since August 2019. His Resignation Letter to President Mohammadu Buhari, which was made available to The Abuja Inquirer, was dated March 14th 2023 and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
In the letter, Mr. Sylva said he was resigning to contest for the Governorship of his home state of Bayelsa under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The Amended Nigerian Electoral Act 2022, outlaws serving political appointees from contesting for elective positions while in office. The are required to give 30 days’ notice before the Party conducts its primary elections.
While making reference to the Electoral Act, Mr. Sylva said “Any political office holder interested in contesting for an elective office shall leave Office 30 days prior to the date of election or party primary for the office sought. I am interested in contesting elections for the position of Governor of Bayelsa State and in participating in the upcoming Party Primaries. In this regard, I hereby tender my resignation as Honourable Minister of State with effect from 15 March 2023.
He spoke further: “In line with Extant Regulations and Policies of the Civil Service, I shall hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources pending the appointment of a new Minister of State by Mr. President. It has been an honour to serve you and our great country Nigeria in this capacity Mr. President and to help in actualising your vision for the Nigerian petroleum sector. I have served with diligence and integrity, as a result of which I have delivered on all Ministerial Mandates along the nine (9) Priority Areas of this administration. I am leaving Office with a sense of fulfilment knowing that I have left the Nigerian Petroleum industry better than I met it under your guidance and with your unflinching support.”
“I am ready once again, for the next challenge of elective office, and take with me the added experience from serving as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that this will enrich the content and context of my governance when I do get elected into Office, and remain grateful for the privilege you granted me to serve.”
Many would recall that Mr. Sylva was a one-term governor of Bayelsa under the People’s Democratic Party until 2012. He lost his re-election bid and defected to the APC and was appointed Minister by President Buhari in 2019
