Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has achieved a significant political turnaround, obtaining his certificate of return as the Senator of Plateau South in the National Assembly. A two-term governor of Plateau State, Lalong's political journey took an unexpected turn after losing the February 25, 2023 election to Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Undeterred by the initial setback, Lalong contested the results at the tribunal, which ruled in his favor. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Mahmoud Tukur, declared the PDP candidate's votes as wasted due to an invalid nomination, citing the absence of a valid structure within the state's PDP at the time of nomination.
Despite Bali's rejection of the tribunal's decision and an ensuing appeal, the appeal court, led by Justice Elfaida Williams-Dawodu, upheld the tribunal's verdict. Consequently, the court directed INEC to withdraw Bali's certificate of return and issue a fresh one to Lalong.
Lalong's swift action in collecting his certificate raises speculation about his potential departure from his role as Labour minister. His tenure has been marked by challenges, including a contentious relationship with Labour leaders, culminating in a nationwide strike following an assault on Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, in Owerri, Imo State.
The political landscape echoes the irony of former governor David Umahi, who left the senate to join President Bola Tinubu's cabinet, contrasting Lalong's potential exit. As Lalong contemplates his next political move, his acquisition of the senatorial certificate becomes a pivotal development with far-reaching implications for both his political trajectory and his role in Tinubu's cabinet.
