Abubukar “A.J.” Jalloh stepped down as acting city administrator days before his temporary appointment was to expire.

Jalloh resigned as acting city administrator, effective on Friday, having informed Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, Jr. of his decision the previous week, according to Rahway Communications Director Joe Brown. In submitting his resignation in a June 3 letter, Jalloh indicated that it was in the personal best interest of him and his family to return to his position as Plainfield city clerk, Brown said.

Jalloh had been serving in an acting capacity for a 90-day period that began March 12, pending a permanent appointment. It’s unclear what circumstances changed between his appointment in March and his resignation last week.

Jalloh was on a leave of absence from his full-time position as municipal clerk in the City of Plainfield, pending his permanent appointment as city administrator in Rahway. The Bound Brook resident also serves as part-time clerk in Riverdale, Morris County, and is part-time chief of staff to Assemblywoman Linda Carter, a former Democratic freeholder from Plainfield.

The mayor, a Democrat who won election in November, announced the appointment of Jalloh during the annual State of the City in March. He offered a statement but no explanation on Jalloh’s departure. “From our short time working with A.J., it was clearly evident that he brings a rare level of experience, charisma, and professionalism that will make him successful in whatever endeavor he chooses to undertake,” Giacobbe said in a statement. “I think I speak for the entire City Council by saying we totally respect and support his decision, although he will be missed,” he said.

The all-Democratic City Council in January awarded a $70,000 consulting contract for 2019 to Landolfi & Associates Government Solutions Corporation. Bob Landolfi remained in a senior advisory role after Jalloh’s appointment and also was appointed earlier this year as the permenant executive director of the Redevelopment Agency.