Governor of Ebonyi state, Dave Umahi has withdrawn from the Senate presidency race to endorse Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs for the top red chamber seat.
Umahi, who will be a first-time senator when the 10th senate is inaugurated in June, said he met with Bola Tinubu, president-elect, who told him not to run.
The senate’s standing orders favour ranking lawmakers – returning senators with legislative experience.
Speaking with reporters after a meeting with Akpabio on Friday, Umahi said he was also not considering the post of deputy senate presiden
Also speaking, Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, said Akpabio is the president’s preferred choice, but he did not state who he was referring to between President Muhammadu Buhari and the president-elect.
“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.
The development came after Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, said Akpabio would be the next senate president.
Orji Uzor Kalu, current chief whip of the senate, indicated an interest to run for the position too.