A successor to Liz Truss who resigned last week as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has been found. He is Conservative Party’s leader, Rishi Sunak. His emergence followed the pulling out of the contest by his challenger, Penny Mordaunt.
This automatically leaves Sunak as the only Conservative Party member in the race.
Sir Graham Brady, the Chair of the 1922 Committee, said he can confirm that there has been one valid nomination for the prime minister’s office.
Sunak is expected to address Tory members of parliament at 2.30pm (Nigerian time) in the House of Commons.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a congratulatory message to the new Prime Minister.
In a statement by the presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, the President said: “on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the largest of 21 countries of Africa that are members of the Commonwealth, I welcome incoming British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to office.
“As the first Prime Minister of British-Asian descent and the youngest in about 200 years, these milestones will be especially inspiring for young people across our 2.4 billion-population, 56-nation Commonwealth.
“On this important day, we should also remember the enduring partnership and unbreakable friendship between our countries, United Kingdom and Nigeria.
“We stand together in this troubled world against terrorism. We are determined to address the world food crisis that is driving up the cost of living for people and families across the globe. We are steadfast in our commitment to make our countries and our allies more energy secure. We are pledged to address climate change that forces millions to leave their homes through desertification and attempt to cross the seas into Europe. And we seek to increase trade and investment within and between Commonwealth countries to boost the health and wealth of all our peoples.
“We seek to deepen our partnership with Britain to achieve these objectives, and more. The government and people of Nigeria look forward to working with Prime Minister Sunak and the leaders of other Commonwealth nations to deliver them.”
