The Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva has announced his decision on the 2023 presidential race.
Announcing his stance on Monday, the Minister said he has withdrawn from the 2023 presidential election which he opted to contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports reaching our studios say that Sylva withdrew his presidential ambition after considering the enormous work at the ministry.
An official at the ministry who spoke on conditions of anonymity said the minister withdrew from the race to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to achieve a robust oil sector.
The official said, “He promised to consult the leader of the country and his political leaders the day he was presented with the form.
“He believes that concentrating on his work will attract more investments for the oil and gas sector.
He has consulted and he believes that the challenges at the ministry and oil and gas sector are enough issues for him to begin to deal with now than going to pursue presidential ambition at the expense of the nation.
“The oil and gas sector is the mainstay of the economy and it is not like any other ministry somebody can just come in and take over.
“It requires some measures of time for the person to understand what is happening in the system.
“For the interest of the industry and the nation, he has decided to wave that personal ambition to see what he can contribute in the remaining part of President Buhari’s administration.
“The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 is very critical and he wants to continue to make his own contribution to the day-to-day running of the country and support Mr President for robust achievements