2015: Bala, Turaki, Sada drop out of guber race

Indications have emerged that Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Special Duties, Mines and Steel, Bala Mohammed, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Sani Sada respectively may have dumped their gubernatorial ambitions. They were among the ministers reported to have concluded plans to quit President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet on October 20 to contest the 2015 gubernatorial elections […]

Indications have emerged that Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Special Duties, Mines and Steel, Bala Mohammed, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Sani Sada respectively may have dumped their gubernatorial ambitions.

They were among the ministers reported to have concluded plans to quit President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet on October 20 to contest the 2015 gubernatorial elections in their respective states of Bauchi, Kebbi and Katsina States.

But the president revealed at a valedictory service held during today’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that Bala, Turaki and Sada are yet to indicate quitting his cabinet.

Jonathan mentioned those he said had indicated interest in gubernatorial elections as including Information Minister Labaran Maku (Nasarawa), Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi), Labour Minister Emeka Wogu (Abia), Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Minister of State for Trade and Investment Sam Ortom (Benue) and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs Darius Ishaku (Taraba State).

The president emphasised that today’s FEC meeting might be their last in his administration.

According to Jonathan, although no minister had submitted a resignation letter, anyone interested in seeking elective position in 2015 must resign before October 20, in line with the guidelines of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Details later…