Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has directed all political appointees except members of the state executive council and special advisers to vacate their offices and cease representing his administration.

This is contained in a statement by Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), in Minna on Saturday.

The governor said commissioners and special advisers will retain their positions until May 29.

Mr Bello explained that those affected were chairmen and members of the board of parastatals and agencies of government, coordinators and project managers.

Others include senior special assistants, special assistants, political assistants, ward ambassadors and personal assistants to political appointees.

According to him, the directors general of SME Micro Finance Agency, Niger State Commodity and Export Promotion Agency, Project Manager, Gurara Waterfalls Project and Managing Director, Niger State Development Company, and statutory commissions that are tenured are exempted from the dissolution.

He added that the commission members whose tenure has not expired should continue to hold office as stipulated by relevant laws governing their appointments.

Mr Bello said handover notes and other government properties in the possession of the affected political appointees should be submitted to the permanent secretary’s office, political affairs, SSG’s office on or before May 29.

The governor commended the appointees and members of the dissolved boards for their contributions to the overall development of the state since the inception of the present administration.

(NAN)