A group, Niger Delta Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance Group (Niger Delta TAG), has asked Presidential hopeful, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to immediately resign as the nation’s Minister of Transportation.
This follows the Minister’s declaration on Saturday at the thanksgiving event held by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the 2023 presidential race.
In a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday, the National Coordinator, Niger Delta TAG, Chief Julius Godspower, said though it is within Amaechi’s rights to seek election into the office of the president, it is unethical for him to chase his political ambition while in office as Minister.
The group noted that with the current situation in the sector being handled by Amaechi, it would suffer more with “a presidential aspirant as Minister.”
“The Minister placed the cart before the horse. The proper thing to do would have been to first resign, before declaring his presidential ambition. It is rather unfortunate that due process is not followed by the Minister and I hope President Muhammadu Buhari will direct him to step down immediately.
“Be that as it may, the proper thing to do now is for him to immediately resign to pursue his dream. Remaining in office as Minister while pursuing his presidential ambition will be a huge distraction to the government. The transport sector is in a very bad state, and it is bound to suffer more with a presidential aspirant as Minister.
“Also, the situation creates a clear conflict of interest for the Minister. How are we sure contractors and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transportation will not be cajoled or compelled to support his presidential bid one way or the other?
“Aside from being immoral and unethical with the attendant conflict of interest, it is also illegal for him to pursue the presidential bid whilst still serving as Minister. His ambition could create a huge legal problem for the ruling party considering that Section 84(12) of the new Electoral Act does not allow serving political appointees to vote or be voted during party primaries.
“Don’t forget that Section 84(12) of the new Electoral Act is still a matter of litigation and could create a major dilemma for the ruling party if Amaechi fights for the party ticket whilst holding on to the office of Minister. It is, therefore, better for him to resign immediately so as not to jeopardize the chances of the ruling party in the 2023 presidential election,” the statement added.
