The immediate past Deputy Chief Whip in the 8th Senate, Senator Francis Alimikhena, of the All Progressives Congress (APC-Edo North), has vowed not to succumb to pressure to step down from contesting the position of the deputy senate president.

Alimikhena, who is one of the leading contender for the deputy senate president gave this position while reacting to the purported reports that he has withdrawn from the race.

Alimikhena reiterated his resolve to vie for the position considering the overwhelming support he enjoys from his counterparts across party divides as well as his constituents.

He called on his colleagues in the senate to completely disregard the rumour that he had stepped down and described it as unimaginable, unthinkable and machinations of some very overzealous and too ambitious persons who will go the extra mile to bring down others.

“My attention has been drawn to speculations in some quarters claiming that I, Francis Alimikhena has stepped down from the race for the position of deputy senate president.

 “I am still in the race. I have not stepped down for anybody. How will I step (down) and who will I step (down) for? I am a ranking senator, a principal officer on the 8th senate, an experienced personality who had served on various ad-hoc committees in the just concluded senate.

“I want to assure my colleagues of purposeful leadership, I want them to support and vote for me as the deputy senate president as I promise to provide purposeful leadership. I have the humility, the experience and temperament that is required for the office.

“I have been a very loyal party member, my relationship also cuts across the party divide,” the Edo lawmaker noted.

During the valedictory session held in the senate last Thursday, Senate President Bukola Saraki expressed optimism that the goodwill enjoyed by the leader of the senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan and the deputy chief whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena will work for them during the forthcoming election of the two principal officers.