More of Jonathan’s men resign to run for office.

More appointees of President Goodluck Jonathan have resigned their appointments in order to pursue their political ambitions in their various states during the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

It will be recalled that seven ministers had earlier resigned to pursue their governorship ambitions in their various states.

They are Mr. Labaran Maku (Information); Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health); Mr. Nyesom Wike (State, Education); Samuel Ortom (State, Industry, Trade and Investment); Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (State, Defence); Mr. Darius Ishaku (State, Niger Delta) and Chief Emeka Wogu (Labour).

It was learnt on Friday that unlike the ministers who made their resignations public and valedictory session was held in their honour by the Federal Executive Council, some other appointees resigned without fanfare.

One of those in that category, it was further learnt, is the Special Adviser to the President on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye.

Monye is seeking to contest for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State.

Although his ambition has been in public domain before now, many had thought that he had jettisoned the plan since Jonathan did not include his name among those who he said had informed him that they were leaving the cabinet penultimate Wednesday.

Our correspondent however learnt that Monye submitted his resignation letter last Monday according to the PDP guideline.

Barring any last minute change in plan, he would be at the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the PDP on Monday to purchase his nomination form.

Another appointee of the President who resigned to pursue his political ambition is the Chairman, Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce.

He resigned as Chairman of the Board of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

Murray-Bruce is interested in contesting for the PDP ticket for Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

A Presidency source said while other political appointees addressed their resignation letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, Murray-Bruce decided to send his letter directly to the President.

Leadership of the ruling party had earlier directed all public office holders interested in contesting elections on the party’s platform to resign their appointments latest by October 20.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, had said that all public office holders were expected to resign their appointments before the commencement of ward congress election.

Source: Punch