Thursday 16 September 2021: David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says President Muhammadu Buhari has a significant role to play on who becomes the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor spoke on Wednesday, when he received Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno, who was in the state to make consultations on contesting for the national chairmanship position of the APC.

Umahi, who said Buhari will decide how the next APC chairman will emerge, added that he will support Sheriff if the contest is thrown open.

“When one person has a good heart and the rest of us do not and are not patriotic, no development can take place,” NAN quoted Umahi as saying.

“You can see that my executive council members melted their hearts into mine, which made us have good hearts and achieve a lot.

“I thank you (Sheriff) for informing us of your decision to contest the APC national chairmanship, but the president, who is the leader of the party, has a role to play.

“He is the only one that can take a decision, but if it is thrown open, you are my choice. The president can say in the interest of the party, let another person be there; we will obey him.”

In his remarks, Sheriff said he was in the state to consult with the governor because of his influence in the south-east.

The former Borno governor commended Umahi for his governance efforts, adding that the APC is proud of his achievements in the state.

“You are very influential in APC and your fellow governors and leaders across the country rate you highly for your infrastructural strides, among other achievements,” he said.

Sheriff also said the next Nigerian president can come from any part of the country, adding that Buhari should be supported to complete his tenure.

“It is, however, not the time to talk about the next president because an incumbent is still in office and should be supported to accomplish his goals,” he said.