Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has reportedly withdrawn his intention to contest for presidency in 2023 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was learnt that Sylva decided to continue with his appointment as a Minister under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
An official at the ministry who chose to remain anonymous said Sylva, who had purchased N100m APC Presidential Nomination forms, withdrew his intention after consultations with political leaders across the country.
He noted that his decision to withdraw from the presidential race is to allow him concentrate on achieving a robust oil sector for the country.
“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 was quoted to have said.
President Buhari had on Friday pre-empted his ministers who indicated interest in vying for presidential and other positions by sending them forth while they were contemplating whether to resign or not.
The president bade farewell to outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at a brief ceremony held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
However, after the sendforth Friday, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen have made a u-turn.
Before now, three ministers and presidential aspirants had resigned, namely, the Minister of State (Education), Emeka Nwajiuba; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; and Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, while the resignation of Rotimi Amaechi, who is also presidential aspirant was reported to be in the offing today.
