Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has withdrawn from the 2023 presidential race.
Recall that the minister had declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election on April 19, and obtained the N100 million nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
But in statement he personally signed on Friday, Ngige said after consulting widely with his family, constituents, supporters and well-wishers, he is withdrawing his interest and earlier decision to contest for the office of the President in the 2023 general elections.
The minister, who noted that he is yet to fill and submit the nomination and expression of interest forms, said he will not be participating in any of the internal party processes of the 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,” Ngige said.