Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Nwabueze Ngige, has backed out of the 2023 presidential race, following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that members of his cabinet who harbour political ambitions, should tender their resignations before Monday, May 16.
Interestingly, Ngige is pulling out of the race moments after being part of an Aso Villa valedictory session of ministers vying for elective positions in 2023.
Days earlier, Ngige had told journalists that he wouldn’t resign until he’s had a private meeting with President Buhari.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday, May 13, 2022, Ngige said: “My declaration was sequel to pressure on me from my constituents, political associates, friends and other well meaning Nigerians, who felt I possess the necessary qualifications and experience for the job.
“Today, 13th May, 2022, I had an audience with the President, Muhammadu Buhari as a follow up to the one I earlier had with him on 11th May, 2022.
“Having also consulted widely with my family, constituents, supporters and well-wishers, 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 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.”
A raft of moneybag chieftains in Buhari’s cabinet and political party, have declared their intention to succeed the president, whose constitutionally permissible two terms of eight years in office elapses in the Spring of 2023.
The APC presidential field is a bloated one, ahead of the party primaries slated for the end of this month.
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