Nigeria’s mines minister resigns to pursue gubernatorial ambition

Kayode Fayemi, Nigeria’s minister of mines and steel development, has resigned his appointment with the federal government to pursue his gubernatorial ambition.

He made the announcement Wednesday at a valedictory press briefing in Abuja.

Fayemi recently picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Ekiti State after securing the most votes in the rescheduled primary election.

At the time, he said he had one more week to serve as a minister after which he would focus on winning the governorship election slated for July 14.

Fayemi was governor of Ekiti state between 2010 and 2014. He lost his reelection bid to Ayodele Fayose, the incumbent governor.

He will fight for the Ekiti governorship seat with Kolapo Olusola, the incumbent deputy governor of the state who enjoys the support of Fayose.

“We are confident that the APC will carry the day but there is still a lot of work to do,” Fayemi had said when he won the primary. He said his track record in Ekiti will sell his candidacy.