Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has announced his withdrawal from the presidential race in 2023.
His announcement comes after President Muhammadu Buhari instructed all members of the Federal Executive Council who want to run for elective offices in the 2023 general elections to resign by May 16.
Ngige said he made the “momentous decision” to pull back from the race today, May 13, in the interest of the country and to allow him to focus on his work.
The minister said, “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 election.
“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.”
Ngige stated that his withdrawal from the race was to help the president and the federal government “weather the difficult last lap” of its regime.
