Ten Nigerian cabinet ministers have announced resignation from public office to run for the country’s election scheduled for next year, the information briefed the public on Friday.

On Thursday, President Buhari asked all ministers, ambassadors, agency heads, and other political appointees including the central bank governor to resign on or by May 16 if they decide to join the 2023 election race.

The ministers who have resigned include junior petroleum minister, ministers of justice, transport, labour, Niger Delta, science and technology, and women’s affairs. The junior ministers for mines and education also resigned, information minister Lai Mohammed said.

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to replace these ministers early “so that the business of governance will not suffer”, Reuters reported.

The Nigerian electoral law amended in February forbids political appointees to contest part primaries or vote in such primaries.

Buhari, who also acts as the senior petroleum minister, will step down after serving two four-year terms following the February 2023 ballot.

Nigerians are expected to go to the polls early next year to choose a new president, state governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives.

Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, who wants to succeed Buhari, was exempted from the directive since he was jointly elected with incumbent Buhari.

Nigeria’s political parties have till June 3 to pick their candidates.

Buhari’s APC will hold primary elections to select candidates, including for president, at the end of this month.

More than 20 APC candidates have so far registered to contest the primary vote for the presidential ticket.