Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi State has revealed that President-elect Bola Tinubu persuaded him to step aside for Sen. Godswill Akpabio in the race for the 10th Senate presidency.
Umahi made the revelation on Monday at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Onueke, while answering questions from reporters upon his arrival from Abuja.
The governor stated that he discussed his senate presidency ambition with Tinubu and that he had to agree to Tinubu’s request in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the South East zone.
“I discussed the issue with him when he was in Paris and on return to the country, he invited me.
“It was an honour to be invited by the president-elect and he told me that he had made commitments.
“It is his right as the president-elect to make commitments and anyone running for such office makes promises.
“I did not want to be a clog in the wheel of his progress so I accepted,” he said.
Umahi stated that his resignation from the race was in the best interests of the Southeast, which could no longer compete.
“We cannot continue opposing everything as politics is all about dialogue, give and take.
“What could have happened if I said no and considering our efforts to promote the APC in the zone, we will get a tangible position,” he said.
The governor stated that he was unaware of any resolution by southeast senators supporting former Abia Governor, Sen. Orji Kalu, for the position.
“I am the chairman of the Akpabio campaign council and can tell you that we have more APC senators on our side,” he said.
He stated that he would never lobby for a position as a minister in the upcoming administration, instead leaving the decision to destiny, Tinubu, and the party.
“I will accept whatever God wills for me but as a person, I will prefer to be in the senate to rest.
“I will however, have no choice if it is the sacrifice to make in the interest of the party, southeast and to help the president-elect,” he said. (NAN)
