Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has withdrawn from the presidential election in 2023.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Ngige announced his resignation from the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket.
Ngige was one of the APC’s presidential candidates.
His resignation came only hours after President Muhammadu Buhari officially waved farewell to exiting ministers pursuing elected seats at the presidential palace in Abuja.
“Today, 13th May 2022, I had an audience with the president, Muhammadu Buhari, as a follow-up to the one I previously had with him on 11th May 2022,” the minister stated in a statement he personally signed.
Ngige added that he has communicated his decision to the president and Boss Mustapha, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).
“After extensive consultation with my family, constituents, friends, and well-wishers, it is my pleasure to announce my withdrawal of interest and earlier decision to run for president in the 2023 general election.”
“As a result of this, I will NOT be participating in any of the aforementioned election’s internal party processes, beginning with the primary.”
Ngige stated that he elected to withdraw from the race in order to help the president and the federal government “weather the challenging last lap” of the administration.
The minister also cited family considerations as a reason for abandoning his aim.
He stated that, while he has gotten expressions of interest/nomination forms from his fans, they have yet to be filled up and returned.