Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has disclosed that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, urged him to step down for Senator Godswill Akpabio within the race for the tenth Senate presidency.
Umahi made the disclosure on Monday on the Muhammadu Buhari Worldwide Airport, Onueke whereas answering questions from newsmen on arrival to the state from Abuja.
The governor mentioned that he mentioned the problem of his Senate presidency bid with Tinubu and needed to accede to his request within the curiosity of the All Progressives Congress and the South East zone.
“I mentioned the problem with him when he was in Paris and on return to the nation, he invited me.
“It was an honour to be invited by the president-elect and he advised me that he had made commitments.
“It’s his proper because the president-elect to make commitments and anybody operating for such workplace makes guarantees.
“I didn’t wish to be a clog within the wheel of his progress so I accepted,” he mentioned.
Umahi mentioned that his withdrawal from the race was within the curiosity of the South-East because it may now not proceed to be within the opposition.
“We can’t proceed opposing every little thing as politics is all about dialogue, give and take.
“What may have occurred if I mentioned no and contemplating our efforts to advertise the APC within the zone, we are going to get a tangible place,” he mentioned.
The governor mentioned that he was not conscious of any decision of South-East senators to help former Abia Governor, Sen. Orji Kalu for the place.
“I’m the chairman of the Akpabio marketing campaign council and may let you know that we have now extra APC senators on our facet,” he mentioned.
He mentioned that he would by no means foyer to be appointed a minister within the incoming administration however go away the choice to future, Tinubu and the social gathering.
“I’ll settle for no matter God wills for me however as an individual, I’ll favor to be within the Senate to relaxation.
“I’ll nevertheless, haven’t any selection if it’s the sacrifice to make within the curiosity of the social gathering, South-East and to assist the president-elect,” he mentioned.
NAN