Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, has announced his decision to drop out of the 2023 presidential race.
The Minister said he took the decision after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, and consulting with his family, constituents, friends, and supporters.
Ngige’s decision to drop out of the race followed President Buhari’s directive to his appointees vying for public office to resign on or before May 16.
The Minister said in a statement he personally signed on Friday that his decision to withdraw from the race was in the interest of the country as well as to enable him concentrate on his job as minister of labour and to help the government.
He said his decision has been communicated to the President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The statement reads: “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.
“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.”
Recall that Ngige declared his interest to contest for the office of the president in his home town, Alor, on April 19. He also claimed that his hometown, Alor, contributed N30 million out of the required N100 million for his forms purchase.
