PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sacked the Minister of Sports and chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, from the Federal Executive Council.
A statement released in Abuja by Presidential Spokesman, Reuben Abati, announced that "President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has relieved the Minister of Sports, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman of his post with immediate effect to afford him the opportunity to focus fully on the pursuit of his declared political ambition.
"President Jonathan thanks Alhaji Suleiman for his services to the nation and wishes him success in his future endeavours," the statement read.
Alhaji Suleiman had on Wednesday formally joined the race for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in Sokoto State, fueling speculations in some quarters that he has the backing of President Jonathan, as he did not resign his appointment before storming the PDP national headquarters with his supporters.
Others, who have picked the PDP governorship ticket, apart from Alhaji Suleiman, include Governor Aliyu Wamakko and Senator Umar Gada.
Suleiman told supporters in Abuja, "I am here to answer the call of my people, to pick nomination form for the governorship of Sokoto State. I am still a serving cabinet member of this administration and to take such a step requires not only my personal judgment and conviction, but also everybody that is involved in this process. And today we are here because we believe we can heal and reconcile the good people of Sokoto State.
"We are here because we believe that our participation in this race will be for the good and in the best interest of the people of Sokoto State."
Suleiman is the second serving minister to quit the sports ministry to fulfill his gubernatorial ambition.
The Guardian recalls that Ibrahim Bio, who also came to the Sports Ministry from Ministry of Transportation, also resigned from his position early last year to join the governorship race in Kwara State.
The Guardian