Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Senate Presidential Aspirant, Senator Godswill Akpabio has withdrawn from the race for Senate Presidency , saying he will support the joint ticket of Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari
Akpabio asked Senators-elect supporting him to cast their votes for Kalu and Yari in the senate presidential election holding tomorrow.
In a statement released from Akpabio/ Barau Campaign office on Monday night, Akpabio thanked President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress( APC) for giving him the opportunity to vie for the office of the Senate President.
He said his decision to withdraw from the race was born out of national interest and the need for regional balance in the government of President Bola Tinubu
The statement partly reads, “ I am thankful to Mr President and the entire leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) for giving me the opportunity to run for the office of the Senate President. We ran the campaign in the best way we could and we are thankful to Nigerians for their maximum support.
“In less than 11 hours we would be inaugurated as the senators elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the election of the presiding officers. We have put into consideration a lot of factors in our dear nation and we have decided to take a decision that would be most beneficial to our colleagues and Nigerians
“To give peace a chance and for regional balance in the country there must be a sacrifice. My deputy aspirant and I, have therefore decided to withdraw from the senate presidential race and throw our support to the joint ticket of the former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and former Governor of Zamfara state, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari.
“We therefore urge our supporters especially the senators elect who have given all their time and strength to our struggle and the entire Nigerians to accept our decision on good faith” the statement reads