2015: Why I Withdrew From Presidential Race

The Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has announced his withdrawal from the 2015 presidential race for now, ending the horse trading since his defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) three weeks ago. Confirming LEADERSHIP's story of Tuesday, Tambuwal also disclosed that he is withdrawing from the presidential race after wide consultation.
Tambuwal, however, heightened suspense as he was
silent on his rumoured bid to contest the Sokoto State
governorship position as a fall back plan despite
assurances by party chieftains in the state that
arrangements had been concluded for him to declare
for the governorship on APC platform.
In a 15-paragraph press statement personally signed by
the speaker yesterday evening, he said: "Having
consulted widely, taking into consideration the
concerns of some elders of the party, I have decided to
suspend my participation in the presidential contest for
now."
He added that his decision was taken as a sacrifice for
the cohesion and unity of the APC, saying he was
suspending his participation in the presidential race for
now because he does not have any inordinate ambition
to occupy any office.
"Nigeria is a country too great to sacrifice on the altar of
partisan politics and personal ambition. What anyone
becomes in life is exclusively in the hands of God. Only
God gives power to whoever he pleases," he said.
Tambuwal appealed to his associates, colleagues,
supporters, admirers and friends nationwide to show
some understanding over his decision.
"It has not been easy coming to this decision and I very
well understand the frustration, disappointment and
disbelief of many who have committed so much to the
project including sacrificing not only
their physical, financial and intellectual resources but
indeed their personal ambitions in the 2015 electoral
contest."
Recall that Tambuwal on Friday accepted the APC
presidential nomination and expression of interest
forms which was purchased on his behalf by some
House members and political associates.
Meanwhile, paying tribute to the APC presidential
aspirants, Tambuwal said: "There is no doubt that they
are all eminently qualified.
"I pledge my loyalty to our party the APC and
cooperation with my uncles and senior brothers and
colleagues who are already in the race for the APC
presidential ticket : I refer to General Muhamadu
Buhari, Alh Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mr Sam
Nda-Isaiah," Tambuwal said.
Speaking on the problems facing the country,
Tambuwal said: "Over the past three and a half years of
presiding over 359 equals, I often had occasion to
discuss peculiar constituency problems with my
colleagues but most importantly I have visited over 300
hundred Federal constituencies across the country and
seen for myself abject poverty of our people
particularly the majority of the population that reside in
the rural areas. I have experienced, first hand, total
absence of essential social facilities and decaying
infrastructure, where they exist at all, and observed
hopelessness in the eyes of millions of
citizens. I deeply feel the pulse of dejection of our
people".

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