The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has dropped from the 2023 presidential race to replace the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
Ngige made the disclosure on Friday hours after Buhari announced the imminent replacement of the 10 members of his cabinet who have resigned from their positions to contest various electoral offices in next year’s general elections.
WuzupNigeria reported that Buhari had on Wednesday, ordered all ministers and other political appointees who aspire to contest for elective offices in 2023 general elections to resign their current appointments.
However, in a statement released on Friday, the former governor of Anambra State said he made the decision after consulting “widely with my family, constituents, supporters, and well-wishers.”
Ngige added that he took the decision in order to enable him to concentrate “on my job” as the labour and employment minister.
WuzupNigeria reported that Ngige acquired the N100m All Progressives Congress’ expression of interest and nomination forms amidst the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities since February.
He added, “it is my pleasure to announce the withdrawal of my interest and earlier decision to contest the office of the President in the 2023 general elections.
“As a result of this, I will NOT be participating in any of the internal party processes of the said election, starting with the primary. I took this momentous decision firstly in the overall interest of the nation, in order to enable me to concentrate on my job, and assist the President and the Government, weather the difficult last lap, in the life of the administration and secondly for other family reasons.
“My constituents, political associates and well-wishers across the country are by this statement informed of this latest decision, which also has the blessing and support of the overwhelming majority, hence supersedes any other interest, personal or otherwise.”
