Utomi quits presidential race over failed consensus talks

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party, Prof. Pat Utomi, on Wednesday withdrew from the race over the inability of opposition parties to adopt a single candidate. Utomi, who confirmed his decision to our correspondent on the telephone, said, “Yes, I’ve withdrawn. I withdrew today.” His decision came as a shock to Nigerians, especially as he had on Tuesday participated in the debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group in Abuja alongside three other candidates. He stated that over the past few months, he had been in talks with the presidential candidates of the Congress for Progressive Change, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Action Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and All Nigeria Peoples Party, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, as well as the national chairmen of their parties on the need to adopt a single presidential candidate. He said that at the various meetings, they discussed the need to harmonise their vision and manifestoes into a workable document. Utomi stated that they formed a committee of eight, comprising each presidential candidate and national chairmen of the four parties to collapse their manifestoes into a single document. He also said the committee headed by the SDMP National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, agreed that they should consult with the national leadership of their respective parties to endorse the quest for a consensus candidate and harmonised manifesto. He said eventually, they adopted a single manifesto, adding, “The only thing remaining was the decision on a consensus candidate.” Utomi, who claimed to have initiated the consultations, said he was driven by the desire for a new Nigeria, “not the ego of who is presidential candidate or vice-presidential candidate.” He said, “We also agreed that the four presidential candidates should go into one room in Lagos and not come out until we adopt one of us as a consensus presidential candidate. The meeting was to have held about three weeks ago. “On the day we scheduled the meeting, one candidate did not show up. Since then, we have been trying to reconvene. Anyone was okay by me as long as the vision was adhered. “Everyone has been travelling on campaign but we all knew that we had a bigger duty to Nigerians to drop our ego and consolidate in order to move Nigeria in a new direction.” He stated that he decided to withdraw “to show others an example that it is possible.” Utomi said he had decided to support Shekarau because of his belief in the ANPP candidate’s acceptability, adding, “If he decides to step down for another candidate, I have no objection.” The SDMP candidate said he would inform the Independent National Electoral Commission about his decision on Thursday (today). He also stated that his campaign team had been ‘technically disbanded.” By Emeka Madunagu Courtesy Of: Punch