President Goodluck Jonathan has removed the Minister of Sports, Yusuf Suleiman,  from his post.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Mr Suleiman’s removal is with immediate effect.

The statement said the minister had to step down  “to afford him the opportunity to focus fully on the pursuit of his declared political ambition.”

President Jonathan thanked Mr Suleiman for his services to the nation and wished him success in his future endeavours. 

The minister had indicated interest to run in the coming governorship election in his home state of Sokoto.

Mr Suleiman wants to wrest the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from incumbent governor, Aliyu Wamako.

The minister will best be remembered for presiding over Nigeria’s sports sector at a time the nation’s football teams fell into bad fortune. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations just as the Super Falcon failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

The U-23 team is on the verge of losing out in the qualification tournament  for the football event of the Olympics.