Sylva abandons presidential ambition, returns back to work as Petroleum Minister

Shortly after submitting his resignation as the country’s  Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva has withdrawn from the presidential race in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has returned  to work.

President Muhammadu Buhari had issued a firm directive demanding for the resignation letters from all ministers with presidential ambitions before the close of business on Monday 16 May 2022.

Speaking, Mr. Horatious Egua, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on media, confirmed that the minister was back to work, having considered the ‘enormous work at hand at the ministry’

EnergyDay recalls that the Northern Solidarity Group had on May 9, presented the APC’s Expression of Interest and Nomination form to the minister to enable him to contest the party’s 2023 presidential primaries.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Sylva withdrew from the race to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to achieve a robust oil sector.

Timpre Sylva had promised to consult extensively, particularly,  his political leaders on  the day he was presented with the form.

Report says the petroleum minister believes that concentrating on his work will attract more investments for the oil and gas sector  as this is the mainstay of the economy and it is not like any other ministry, ‘somebody can just come in and take over,’ the minister was quoted to have said.

“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 rather than going to pursue presidential ambition at the expense of the nation.

Sylva believes that concentrating on his work will attract more investments for the oil and gas sector.

An official at the Ministry disclosed that Sylva had done the needed consultations and he believes that the challenges at the ministry and the oil and gas sector are enough issues for him to begin to deal with now rather than going to pursue presidential ambition at the expense of the nation.

“For the sake 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 minister’s aid affirmed.

“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,” an official said.