Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige announced Friday that he would be dropping his presidential ambition in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Ngige made the volte face in a personally statement hours after he was rumoured to have attended a valedictory session with President Muhammadu Buhari with 10 other colleagues who had been asked to resign to pursue their political ambitions.
Ngige said he decided to step down his ambition in the interest of Nigeria, as well as other family reasons, as well as to concentrate on his job and to assist the President to weather the difficult last lap of the administration and to help him deliver on his vision.
The Minister said he has informed the President and the secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, of his decision to stay on.
He said his earlier decision was taken in response to demands from members of his constituency and well meaning political associates, who had even tasked themselves to raise the N100 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms for the exalted position.
Ngige said up till now, he has neither filled, nor has he submitted the forms because he is no longer interested in the contest.
Ngige is not the only Minister who is speculated to have dropped their political ambition. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, who is said to have his eyes on the Tone State gubernatorial ticket is said to have dropped his ambition and opted to stay on in government.
Ngige and Malami’s action confirmed pundits position that many of the ministers would drop their ambition in order to stay back in the cabinet to enjoy the perks of office for the few months remaining for the Buhari administration.
Read the Ngige’s withdrawal letter here:
