Another presidential aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has withdrawn from the presidential race.
Sylva has returned to work today, the last day given by President Muhammadu Buhari to all political appointees aspiring for elective political office to quit his cabinet and pursue their ambition.
Recall that the Northern Solidarity Group had on May 9, presented the APC’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the minister to enable him to contest the party’s 2023 presidential primaries.
An official at the ministry who chose to remain anonymous said Sylva withdrew from the race to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to achieve a robust oil sector.
“He promised to consult the leader of the country and his political leaders the day he was presented with the form.
“He believes that concentrating on his work will attract more investments for the oil and gas sector.
“He has consulted and he believes that the challenges at the ministry and oil and gas sector are enough issues for him to begin to deal with now than going to pursue presidential ambition at the expense of the nation.
“The oil and gas sector is the mainstay of the economy and it is not like any other ministry somebody can just come in and take over.
“It requires some measures of time for the person to understand what is happening in the system.
“For the interest of the industry and the nation, he has decided to wave that personal ambition to see what he can contribute in the remaining part of President Buhari’s administration.
“The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 is very critical and he wants to continue to make his own contribution to the day-to-day running of the country and support Mr. President for robust achievements,” the official said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Horatious Egua, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on media, when contacted, confirmed to newsmen that the minister was back to work.
Sylva will be the third aspirant and minister to make a U-turn after attending a valedictory session organised by President Muhammadu Buhari to bid them farewell.
Both the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who purchased form to contest the governorship of Kebbi State have all made a U-turn after President Buhari gave them the marching orders to quit his cabinet.
Monday, May 16, was the deadline given them to resign.
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