Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Saturday disclosed that he decided to drop his gubernatorial ambition for Kebbi State out of self-control, contentment and personal conviction.

Malami has joined minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, to jettison their ambitions and remained in the federal cabinet despite attending the valedictory session for the departing Minister led by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier on Friday.

The AGF stated his decision in a very short statement by his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu.

"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.

"Right thinking members of the society accord respect to individual's right to freedom of choice in matters relating to this" Gwandu stated.

As individual Nigerian citizens with inalienable fundamental rights, Malami said he is not aware of any legally justifiable and reasonable tenable obligations compelling him, a 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 stimulus.

"It is a commendable posture worthy of admiration coming from a paragon of virtue" the statement said.