Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), says he yet to resign his appointment as the number one law officer of Nigeria.
He said what he did instead of resignation was to withdraw his interest in contesting the governorship position in his Kebbi home State
There were peculations on Friday that Malami had withdrawn his ambition to govern Kebbi State after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
He has now confirmed his withdrawal from the governorship race.
Malami’s media aide, Dr Umar Gwandu, said the minister withdrew his ambition to contest the 2023 Kebbi State gubernatorial elections out of “contentment, self-control, placidity and decisiveness in problem-solving at a time shrouded with confusing and competing stimuli.
“Malami has the right to choose to voluntarily shelve his gubernatorial ambition. It is a matter of personal conviction and individual right which didn’t violate any law,” said Gwandu.
The statement stated further: “Right thinking members of the society accord respect to individual’s right to freedom of choice in matters relating to this.
“As individual Nigerian citizens with inalienable fundamental rights, we are not aware of any legally justifiable and reasonable tenable obligations compelling the person of Abubakar Malami (SAN) or as an Attorney General of the Federation to do otherwise.
“The decision is not only a demonstration of altruism and patriotism, but of contentment, self-control, placidity and decisiveness in problem-solving at a time shrouded with confusing and competing stimuli. It is a commendable posture worthy of admiration coming from a paragon of virtue.”