A senator from the Ebonyi South senatorial constituency, David Umahi, has withdrawn his candidacy for Senate president.
He did, however, declare his support for Godswill Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom state and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Umahi, a senator for the first time and the departing governor of Ebonyi State, stated that he was not considering running for deputy Senate president.
Umah added that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, had pleaded with him during their meeting not to run for office in the Green Chamber.
Following his conversation yesterday with Akpabio, he clarified this to reporters.
He said, “My brother (Akpabio) came to consult with me. Yesterday, I saw the president-elect on his invitation and he told me that he is already committed, and that please ‘don’t run’ I accepted and stepped down for my brother, Senator Akpabio.
“He is my consensus candidate. I also step down for him as the deputy Senate president.”
Also, Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno South, said Akpabio is the president’s preferred choice but was unclear on which president he was referring to.
“As you can see, I am leading the campaign for Akpabio because he is the president’s preferred candidate and we have to put the interest of the country, the party, above any other interest,” Ndume said.
