‘This is not the end’ - Maryam Shetty speaks after Tinubu withdraws her name from ministerial nomination

Maryam Shetty, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finally spoken after her ministerial nomination was withdrawn by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking in a statement released on her Facebook page, Shetty said that although this may seem as a setback, she believes this is a mere stepping stone, as the best is yet to come.

She urges Nigerians to pray for the President and continue to support his government.

On Wednesday, President Tinubu sent the second batch list of nominees after the first 28 names to the upper chamber for vetting and confirmation.

However, in a dramatic twist of event, Shetty who was part of the nominees in the supplementary ministerial list was replaced just shortly before she was to be screened.

She was replaced with two others which include, Festus Keyamo and Mariya Mahmoud.

Reacting to the withdrawal of her name from the list, Shetty expressed her gratitude to President Tinubu for acknowledging her capabilities.

She said she felt “sheer joy and pride” at my nomination as it was “a validation of my capabilities, a nod to my vision, and a sign that our great nation was ready to embrace a future where young women like me, even from the most traditional parts of Nigeria, can hold positions of influence and power”.

“Yet, life, with its characteristic unpredictability, led to the withdrawal of my nomination. To some, this could seem like a setback, but my faith as a devout Muslim guided my understanding. I saw it as the divine will of Allah, who I believe grants power as He wishes, when He wishes. His plans are always superior to ours.

“Even with this unexpected twist, my gratitude to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for considering me for such an esteemed position remains undiminished. The journey doesn’t end here; I believe this is a mere stepping stone, the best is yet to come; I believe this is a mere stepping stone, the best is yet to come. My resolve to serve my beloved country, Nigeria, in any capacity I can, is stronger than ever.

“I would like to assure my incredible supporters that this is not an end, it is the dawn of a new era I urge all of us to continue praying for our nation and to stand behind our President as he strives to better Nigeria.

“My nomination may have been withdrawn, but my hope is unwavering. As I have often stated, “Hope is not lost; maybe I will come back again.”