Lalong Resigns As Minister To Take Senate Seat

Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has resigned from his position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet in preparation for his swearing-in as the Plateau South senator.

According to people with knowledge of the situation, Lalong will be sworn in this week by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after winning the Plateau South senatorial race.

A former two-term Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Lalong contested the February Presidential poll as the Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation but was initially declared the loser by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, following his challenge of the result, the Court of Appeal ruled in his favour, overturning the previous verdict.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the prior ruling and ruled in his favor after he contested the judgment.

Lalong left the cabinet on Wednesday when he submitted his resignation during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, according to The Nation.

President Tinubu accepted Lalong’s resignation, according to presidential aide Imran Muhammad. Muhammad also mentioned that the upcoming FEC meeting will feature a farewell session for Lalong.

Lalong’s resignation from the FEC was confirmed by Plateau State APC spokesman Sylvanus Namang.

Lalong obtained his Certificate of Return subsequent to the nullification of Air Vice Marshall Napoleon Bali’s election by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as mandated by the Court of Appeal.

Following Lalong’s certificate of return, the President and senior party officials conferred with him recently, with a particular emphasis on Lalong’s replacement in the FEC.

The APC saw a major boost from Lalong’s appointment to the Senate, which increased its representation in the body and prevented a supplemental senatorial election that would have been necessary in the wake of his resignation, according to party leaders.

Lalong is viewed as advantageous because to his extensive experience, which includes his two years as Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, making him a de facto ranking senator.