Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has stepped down from his role in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet.
He has chosen to assume the Plateau South Senatorial seat that he recently won. Lalong, who previously served as the governor of Plateau State, is expected to be sworn in this week by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, according to sources.
Lalong, who was the Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation during the run-up to the February Presidential poll, was initially declared the loser of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, he contested the result, and the Court of Appeal subsequently awarded him the victory.
Following Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Lalong, a lawyer and two-term Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, tendered his resignation in preparation for his resumption at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Imran Muhammad, a presidential aide, confirmed on his Twitter handle last night that President Tinubu has accepted Lalong's resignation from the cabinet. He also revealed that Lalong's valedictory will take place at the next FEC meeting.
Sylvanus Namang, the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, also confirmed Lalong’s resignation from the FEC. Last month, Lalong received his Certificate of Return. The Court of Appeal had ordered the electoral commission to issue him the certificate of return, following the nullification of the election of Air Vice Marshall Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has now vacated the seat.
Lalong was accompanied to the INEC Headquarters by his wife, Regina, and children, as well as several notable figures including former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Idris Wase; John Dafaan, the member representing QuanPan, Shendam, Mikang Federal Constituency; APC Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter; Joe Bukar, the Minority leader of Plateau House of Assembly; and some members of the Plateau Assembly.
Last month, following the receipt of his certificate of return, Lalong held consultations with the President and other party leaders. The discussions focused on Lalong’s replacement in the FEC, and he was allowed to recommend four names as possible replacements. Party leaders were reportedly pleased that the resolution of the litigation arising from the Plateau South senatorial poll in Lalong’s favour had increased their ranks in the Senate. Lalong, a loyal party member, agreed to resume at the Senate as a sacrifice. Party leaders also believe that his experience as a two-term House of Assembly Speaker will be beneficial as he will unofficially enjoy the status of a ranking senator.