2023 Presidency: Ngige beats hasty retreat, takes Buhari’s window of opportunity to announce withdrawal from race for APC ticket

● Keeps his ministerial job

Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, has announced his withdrawal from the race for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He announced his withdrawal in a statement issued on Friday, May 13, 2022.

The statement is hereunder reproduced in extenso:

Advertisement

WITHDRAWAL OF MY PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATION

On Tuesday, 19th April 2022, I publicly declared my interest to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the constitutional provision that precludes our amiable incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari from seeking re-election to the office, as he would have completed his two terms in office by  29thMay 2023 . The declaration was made in my home town, Alor,  Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

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.  Some of these supporters even taxed themselves  to procure the Expression of Interest/ Nomination Forms of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) for me.  The forms however are yet to be filled and submitted .

Today, 13thMay , 2022, I had an audience with the President, Muhammadu Buhari as a follow up to the one I earlier had with him on 11thMay , 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.

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.

Thanks and God’s blessings.

• Senator(Dr.) Chris Nwabueze Ngige, MD, OON
  Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.
  13/05/2022