ABUJA, Reuters – On Tuesday, four members of Nigeria’s cabinet including the junior petroleum secretary, declared that they would not be running in the next year’s general elections. This was after President Muhammadu Buhari set a Monday deadline for them to resign.

Last Friday, the information minister stated that ten members of the cabinet had quit to run in the ruling party primaries. These determine who will be running for president, governorship or senate from the All Progressives Congress.

However, Timipre Sylva, the junior minister of petroleum, and the ministers for justice, labour, and women’s matters said Tuesday that they were staying in their positions to support the president’s policies.

Godwin Emefiele, the country’s central bank governor is asking for a court order to stop the nation’s attorney général and electoral commission from interfering with his ability to run for president. This matter will be considered on May 23.

Nigerians are expected to hold general elections in the early part of next year, where they will elect new presidents, governors of states and members of their house.

Buhari being barred from running for reelection following his two four-year term, over 20 of the party’s members declared themselves as candidates.