On Tuesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, officially stepped down from his role.
His spokesperson, Simon Macham, conveyed in a statement that Mr Lalong submitted his resignation letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate his assumption of office as the senator for the Plateau South Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress (APC),Premium Times reports.
Having emerged victorious in the senatorial election on 25 February, as declared by the Court of Appeal on 7 November, Mr Lalong replaced Napoleon Bali, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate initially announced as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC subsequently issued Mr Lalong the certificate of return last month.
Mr Macham emphasized that the decision to resign was not taken lightly, considering the trust and confidence President Tinubu had placed in Mr Lalong in his cabinet, particularly after his service as the director-general of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, which contributed to the APC’s victory.
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The statement quoted Mr Lalong expressing deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the honor and privilege of serving in his cabinet, pledging continued loyalty, support, and cooperation while at the Senate. Mr Lalong intends to contribute to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the overall progress of the APC in advancing a stronger, united, and more prosperous Nigeria.
Mr Lalong, the statement revealed, visited the National Assembly to submit his Certificate of Return and relevant documents to the clerk of the Senate. It is anticipated that he will be inaugurated as a senator during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Earlier reports indicated that Mr Lalong was facing criticism for delaying representation for his constituents in the Senate while holding onto his ministerial position and the INEC certificate of return. He had previously expressed uncertainty about whether to take his seat at the Senate or retain his ministerial role.
