Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) has debunked report on his alleged withdrawal from race for the Presidency of the 10th Senate.
One of the National dailies, had on Saturday, reported that contenders for the position from the North , had withdrawn to pave way for a South Easterner or South Southerner.
But Senator Musa in a personally signed press statement in Abuja on Monday, said he has not withdrawn from the race.
According to him, the report about the withdrawal of all aspirants from the North, was not the true position of the situation on ground.
He said, “My attention has been drawn to the story that I have shelved my aspiration to be elected as a Presiding Officer in the 10th National Assembly.
“I guessed it is the imagination of the writer of that newspaper’s story.
“I am still in the race and will only decide otherwise if the zoning arrangement of our great party, the APC, did not favour my zone for the office of the President of the Senate or the Deputy.
“I appeal to my Distinguished Senators-elect, my constituents and the general public to remain steadfast and be hopeful for a united and robust 10th National Assembly that will be independent and committed partner to our incoming administration”.
A civil society group , The Policy Advocacy and Integrity Network Nigeria (TPAINN), had earlier on Sunday, described the report as fake.
PAINN in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Josh Mesele, alleged that the fake report was sponsored by one of the southern aspirants .
The statement reads, “We are amazed and taken aback with the fake report in one of the tabloids belonging to one of the aspirants from the South shamelessly claiming that aspirants from the North have all stepped down from the race.
“This is lie from the pit of hell. We can boldly say with all sense of responsibility that no single aspirant from the North has stepped down, rather they are very much in the race.
“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians, especially Senators-elect not to be deceived by this misleading report which has clearly shown that the aspirant in question, is drowning in the race and desperately clawing to a non-existent straw.”
