BREAKING: First, Tinubu, now Umahi informs Buhari of 2023 presidential ambition

Governor David Umahi on Tuesday informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his ambition to contest for the presidential ticket of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections.

This came soon after a national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu also informed the president of the same thing.

Umahi, who addressed State House correspondents after a meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said he wanted to replicate his developmental strides in Ebonyi at the national level, hence his decision to put himself forward for the nation’s top job.

He promised to “bring a business-like spirit into governance” and continue with the legacy of the Buhari administration.

The governor said after he informed Buhari of his intention to vie for the presidency, the President advised him to consult widely.

When he was asked if his discussions with the President had anything to do with politics and the 2023 elections, Umahi said: “Well, generally, yes and no. We discussed politics as the growth of our party, All Progressives Congress (APC), in Nigeria, and South East.

“And, of course, you know, the interest of South- East for the seat of presidency in 2023.

READ ALSO: APC dismisses claim on Umahi planned return to PDP

“And, of course, I told Mr. President that without prejudice to whatever will be the decision of the party, which we shall abide by, that if the party throws the ticket open or zones it to the Southern part of Nigeria, that I believe that with what I have put in place in the past six years plus, that I will be running for presidency on the platform of the APC.

“So, I told him and of course, he believes that whoever wants to run for President of this country must have to consult widely, go to all the leaders and that we must do everything to remove ethnicity and religion in our politics so that this country can grow.”

When reminded that the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu, had just declared his presidential ambition, the governor added: “The Bible that I swore with, a section of in 1 Samuel says that by strength shall no man prevail, and power and might belong to God. He chooses whomever He wills and He will do that in 2023. I’m not in a contest with anybody. I’m in contest with myself.

“I wouldn’t have done that without first coming to clear with Mr. President that there is this feeling in the South-East that they have not had a President before and that people feel that those of our leaders in the various political parties should indicate interest to contest.

“And this is fair, this is important. But at the end of the day, it is God Almighty and the political parties that will also decide.”

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