Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi State has revealed the reason why he abandoned his senate presidency ambition, to support the lawmaker, representing Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to clinch the senate presidency ticket.
Umahi, who disclosed this, while answering questions from the newsmen at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Onueke on Monday, said the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, urged him to step down for Akpabio.
According, to him, he discussed the issue of his senate presidency ambition with Tinubu and he had to go along with his request in the interest of the All Progressives Congress, 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.
“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.
However, Umahi said that he was not aware of any resolution of southeast senators to support 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.
Meanwhile, the governor said that he would never lobby to be appointed a minister, in the incoming administration, but leave 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.
Governor Umahi won the senate seat for Ebonyi South senatorial district at the last election, and he will be representing the district at the 10th assembly.
(NAN)
