Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday beat a retreat from the 2015 presidential race, citing personal reasons of “sacrifice” and his decision to avoid seeking any political office.

He said in a statement in Abuja entitled ‘My Political Future, By Tambuwal’, that he reached the decision to distance himself from politics after concluding wider consultations with elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and taking into consideration the vastness of the country’s political space.

“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. I have done so as a sacrifice for the cohesion and unity of the APC. I am suspending my participation in the presidential race for now because I do 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 any one becomes in life is exclusively in the hands of God. Only God gives power to whoever he pleases,” Tambuwal said.

The embattled Speaker who ruffled feathers with his recent defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), traced his presidential gamble to Friday, November 14, 2014, when a group of his colleagues presented him an Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to participate in the presidential primaries of the APC. He, however, noted that his “entry into the presidential race at this point may necessitate having to rework some equations on the political chessboard of the party.”

Instead of pursuing his ambition, Tambuwal pledged his support for General Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mr. Sam Ndah- Isaiah, all of whom he described as being “eminently qualified” to run for the position of president.

He said although he is “fully prepared, ready, willing, determined, available and armed with the requisite plans, programmes and ability, to undertake the great mission of rescuing our dear country from the clutches of institutionalised corruption, gross incompetence, greed and divisiveness”; and many others, he will plough his energy into supporting the APC.

“I am convinced that with the progressive spirit and teamwork these objectives are attainable under an All Progressives Congress (APC) administration,” Tambuwal said, adding:

“I came into the APC to enhance and build. Therefore, in the interest of our great party the APC and indeed in the overriding national interest I wish to appeal to all my associates, colleagues, supporters, admirers and friends nationwide to show some understanding. 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.”

•Adapted from a THISDAY report. Photo shows Tambuwal.

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