Minister Officially Dumps Tinubu’s Cabinet, Takes Up Another Top Post

Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has officially departed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet.

His resignation had earlier been hinted by various sources in the past weeks. He opted to take the Plateau South Senatorial seat he won in the recent elections. Sources indicate that he is set to be sworn in this week by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Lalong, who served as the Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation during the February Presidential poll, had initially been declared the loser by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, the Court of Appeal later overturned the result in his favor.

After Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Lalong submitted his resignation in preparation for his upcoming role in the National Assembly. A presidential aide, Imran Muhammad, confirmed the acceptance of Lalong’s resignation, noting that his valedictory would take place at the next FEC meeting.

President Tinubu has accepted Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong’s resignation from the cabinet. His valedictory will hold at the next FEC meeting.

APC Plateau State spokesman, Sylvanus Namang, also confirmed Lalong’s resignation from the FEC. The Court of Appeal’s decision led to the nullification of Air Vice Marshall Napoleon Bali’s election, who has since vacated the senatorial seat.

Lalong, accompanied by prominent figures including former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Idris Wase, received his certificate of return from INEC. In a recent consultation with President Tinubu and party leaders, discussions focused on Lalong’s replacement in the FEC.

Party leaders, excited about the resolution of the Plateau South senatorial poll litigation, believe that Lalong’s experience as a two-term House of Assembly Speaker will be valuable in his new role as a senator. The decision also averts a supplementary senatorial election that would have been triggered by Lalong’s resignation from the Senate.