By InfactNG
Many of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers have pulled out of the 2023 presidential and governorship contest, with their tails between their legs.
This is after coughing out between N50 million to N100 million in nomination forms, a life changing sum in Africa’s moat populous Nation but riddled with corruption, poverty and bad governance.
Buhari had issued an ultimatum to all his political appointees who had interest in the forthcoming 2023 general elections to resign latest 16th May, 2022.
Buhari followed this up on Friday by organising a valedictory session for the ten who had picked nomination forms.
However, two of the ministers made a U-turn after submitting their resignation letters.
The first to change his mind was the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige who had earlier declared to contest for the presidency, then followed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami who had picked Kebbi State governorship form.
In dropping their ambitions, both men opted to keep their current job as the Minister of Labour and Productivity and Minister of Justice.
Malami said: “I have not resigned as the Attorney General of the Federation but have only withdrawn from the Kebbi governorship race,”
Ngige in his withdrawal letter titled, ‘Withdrawal of my presidential ambition’, on Friday, said it was for the overall interest of the country.
The letter read in part: “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, will NOT be participating in any of the internal party processes of the said election, starting with the primary. 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, whether the difficult last lap, in the life of the administration and secondly for other family reasons.
“I have since communicated this decision to the President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“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.”
