President Bola Tinubu has officially accepted the resignation of Simon Lalong who served as the Minister of Labour and Employment, according to sources from the Presidency.
Quest Times reports that Lalong’s departure follows his victory in the Plateau South Senatorial election, affirmed by a recent appeal court ruling dated November 7, 2023.
The announcement of his resignation was made after last Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, as revealed by a presidential aide.
“Lalong has resigned, but it was not at the FEC meeting itself. It must have been after the meeting because, if it were earlier, the President or SGF would have announced it during the meeting.”
Despite his loss in the Senate race initially, Lalong contested the result, ultimately succeeding in the Court of Appeal.
In the coming week, he is expected to be sworn in as the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio will oversee the swearing-in ceremony.
Having previously served as the Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation in the months leading up to the February Presidential election, Lalong’s political journey has taken a new turn with his resignation from the ministerial position.
Moreover, his valedictory, marking his farewell from the cabinet, is anticipated to take place at the next FEC meeting, as mentioned by an X user associated with the President’s camp, Imran Mohammad.
“President Tinubu, Accepted Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, Resignation from the cabinet, his valedictory will hold next FEC meeting,” he wrote.
It is worth noting that there will be no FEC meeting this week, making the last Wednesday’s gathering likely Lalong’s final appearance as a member of the council.
The former Plateau State Governor and two-term Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly is poised to embark on his new role in the Senate following this significant transition in his political career.