By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, has pulled out of the chairmanship race of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, Sheriff said he respects the decision of the party, which has zoned the office to the North Central, President Muhammadu Buhari.
He, however, noted that he will throw in his hat if the party rescinds its decision to zone the office to the North Central.
“Being someone who respects the rule of law and the leaders of the party, the president has taken a position. I have always told you that I will contest if it is zoned to my zone.
“I respect the president as my leader, and he must have a reason why the national chairman is zoned to the North-central. Therefore I will no longer contest unless the party leadership decides to throw it open between now and Friday,” he said.
He said the APC, at the moment, requires a national chairman who enjoys massive political goodwill across party lines with the capacity to drive development at all levels.
Sheriff added that with enough experience in political party administration, he is strategically placed ahead of other aspirants with the requisite goodwill to lead the APC to victory in the 2023 elections and beyond.
Sheriff’s decision comes barely one week before the national convention, which is scheduled to hold on March 26.
The former governor, who comes from the North East zone had expressed interest in the chairmanship seat before the zoning was released by the Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
