In a significant development, President Bola Tinubu has officially accepted the resignation of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, according to a reliable source within the Presidency.
Lalong, having secured victory as the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District through an appeal court ruling dated November 7, 2023, will now transition to the National Assembly.
The President’s acceptance of the resignation comes ahead of Lalong’s anticipated swearing-in later this week by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The source clarified that Lalong’s resignation did not transpire during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting but likely occurred post-meeting. This explains why the announcement was not made during the official proceedings.
The former Governor of Plateau State, who previously served as the Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation leading up to the February Presidential election, faced initial setbacks in his bid for the Senate. Despite an initial loss, he challenged the results through legal channels and secured a favorable ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Lalong, a seasoned lawyer and two-term Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, privately tendered his resignation to President Tinubu following last Wednesday’s FEC meeting at the State House. The forthcoming valedictory session, scheduled for the next FEC meeting, will mark Lalong’s formal exit from the cabinet.
Notably, with no FEC meeting scheduled for this week, last Wednesday’s gathering is expected to be Lalong’s final appearance as a member of the council.
His imminent transition to the Senate underscores a significant chapter in his political career and highlights the fluid dynamics within Nigeria’s political landscape.