Labour Minister Lalong Returns to Senate, May Quit Tinubu’s Cabinet

• In what seems like a twist, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the brink of losing one of his cabinet members.
• The minister of labour and employment, Simon Lalong, on Thursday, November 24, received his certificate of return to the Senate after winning his case in court.
• This development means he might resign his ministerial role in the coming days and resume legislative duties.

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil society, courts, and metro

FCT, Abuja - Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has obtained his certificate of return as the Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly.

Lalong, a two-term governor of Plateau State, initially lost the February 25, 2023 election to Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Read also

List of APC, PDP governors who have won at Court of Appeal so far

Displeased with the election outcome, Lalong pursued legal action, and the tribunal ruled in his favour.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Mahmoud Tukur, determined that the PDP candidate's votes were invalid due to an improper nomination, asserting that the party lacked a valid structure in the state at the time of nomination.

Despite Bali's appeal, the appellate court, led by Justice Elfaida Williams-Dawodu, upheld the tribunal's decision, deeming the votes for the PDP candidate unlawful.

As reported by Daily Trust, the court instructed INEC to withdraw Bali's certificate of return and issue a new one to Lalong.

Lalong receives INEC's certificate of return

In response, Lalong and associates visited the INEC headquarters in Abuja to receive his certificate of return from National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna.

Lalong's actions suggest that he may step down from his role as Labour minister, a position marred by conflicts with Labour leaders, including a nationwide strike resulting from an assault on Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Read also

BREAKING: Appeal court announces date to deliver judgement on Kaduna governorship election

Interestingly, Lalong's situation parallels that of David Umahi, a former governor who left the senate to join President Bola Tinubu's cabinet.

Plateau crisis worsens as state assembly speaker, deputy resign

Meanwhile, the political situation in Plateau state has reached a fever pitch and might become a major crisis in the coming days.

On Tuesday, November 21, the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly, Hon Moses Thomas Sule and Deputy Speaker, Hon Gwottaon Fom, resigned.

The duo did not issue an official statement to explain the reasons for their resignation, but it might be connected to the sack of Governor Caleb Mutfwang by the appellate court.

Source: Legit.ng