From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Former governor of Borno State Ali-Modu Sheriff has said that he is ready to sacrifice his ambition of becoming the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to abide by the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse a consensus candidate.
Addressing a Press Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Borno first citizen, said that though he is not aware of any official position of Mr President on the endorsement of any particular candidate or zoning of the Chairmanship position, he will however abide by his decision if he does.
He emphasised that he is ‘totally committed to working with anyone/everyone to reposition our party towards actualizing resounding victory in 2023 general elections and beyond.’
Titled, “I stand by President Muhammadu Buhari’s position on the Chairmanship of APC”, SAS said: ‘I want to speak and address some concerns of well-meaning party faithful regarding the decision and position of Mr President and our party leadership with respect to National Chairmanship position of our great party.
‘Of late, I have been inundated by insinuations and rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari has zoned and endorsed a candidate for this all-important position in our party’s leadership. It has become very pertinent and exigent to address these concerns.
‘First and foremost, I am not aware of any official statement or position by Mr President on the endorsement of any particular candidate or/and zoning of the chairmanship position of our great party. Mr President and indeed the Party is yet to issue a formal statement on these issues.
‘I am in the race for the National Chairmanship position of our party APC because of my strength of character, capacity and competence. My intentions are clear and explicitly for the public good rather than self-interest.
‘As a loyal party member, I will abide by decisions of Mr President at any time he makes an official decision on zoning or endorsement of any particular candidate. I have unequivocal confidence in Mr President’s capacity to make the right choice for the growth of our party.
‘I am totally committed to working with anyone/everyone to reposition our party towards actualizing resounding victory in 2023 general elections and beyond. Our guiding principle will be the party’s Constitution and Manifesto, and I will be committed to it,’ he pledged.