Ngige chickens out of presidential race

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has withdrawn from contesting the presidency in the 2023 general election.

Ngige made this known in a statement on Friday.

The move comes after President Muhammadu Buhari directed all his appointees seeking political offices in the 2023 elections to resign before Monday.

Ngige had earlier declared interest to run for the nation’s number one office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He, however, said he was stepping down from the race to “concentrate on my job, and assist the President and the Government, weather the difficult last lap in the life of the administration”.

He also said he was stepping down for family reasons.

“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, 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,” his statement read in part.