Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says he stepped down for Godswill Akpabio as senate presidential candidate after he was urged by Nigeria’s declared president-elect to do so.
Mr Umahi spoke Monday to journalists at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Onueke, Ebonyi state.
The outgoing governor of the south-east state took part in the presidential primaries of his party APC, before later standing down. He declared his intention to seek the senate’s leadership role after Mr Tinubu was declared winner of the Feb. 25 election.
– Key points to note
Mr Umahi said he discussed his ambition to lead the senate with Mr Tinubu and ultimately agreed to step down “in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the South East zone,” the News Agency of Nigeria reported Monday.
“I had a discussion with him when he was in Paris and he later invited me to a meeting. I saw it as an honour to be invited by the President-elect,” he said.
“He told me he had made some commitments and it was his right to do so. I did not want to be an obstacle to his progress so I decided to accept his request.”
Mr Umahi said he withdrew from the race to “help the south-east zone”, which could no longer afford to remain in the opposition.
“We cannot continue to oppose everything; politics is about dialogue, give-and-take. Considering our efforts to promote the APC in the zone, we will get a tangible position,” he was quoted as saying.
He denied that south-east senators had agreed to support former Abia governor Orji Kalu for the top senate job, saying that the Akpabio campaign council, of which he is the chairman, has more APC senators on its side.
Regarding his own political future, Mr Umahi said he had no plans to lobby for a ministerial appointment in the incoming administration, preferring to leave the decision to destiny, Mr Tinubu, and the party.
“I will accept whatever God has in store for me, but as a person, I would like to rest in the Senate. However, I would have no choice if it is a sacrifice I must make for the interest of the party, the South East zone, and to assist the President-elect,” he said.
– Why this matters
The governor’s comments come as the APC leadership struggles to finalize its choice for the senate presidency, with several party members jostling for the position.
The remarks provide insight into how the APC leadership is managing the contest, who is likely to emerge winner and importantly, the likely political representation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones under the next government.
– Learn more
In the last week, several members of the ruling party declared their support for Mr Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom governor. Mr Tinubu is expected to be inaugurated on May 29 while the National Assembly should have new leaders in early June.
Geographically, the south-west is to lead as president, deputised by the north-east while the south-south will hold the senate president position, with an assistant from the north-west.
The speaker and deputy speaker of the house of representatives are likely to go to the remaining two regions: south-east and north-central.
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