Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, on Friday debunked speculations in the media that he was interested in the position of the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Addressing reporters at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar shortly after he came back from Abuja, the governor said he intends to stay away from the limelight.
“I have been in the public limelight for much longer than 16 years. I intend to step away from the public limelight, even though I remain a loyal party member, a strong supporter of my party. I will work will for my political party to the extent that is necessary, but I do not intend to run for any public office.
“I have seen my name published in papers about interest in the chairmanship of my party, but I have never expressed such an interest and I still do not want to express such an interest in running for any office. I took the decision not to run for any office many months back. It was my intention not to participate in politics, especially running for any office.
“I have not also been approached by anybody at any level to be chairman of the party for any reason. The reports are all rumours that I do not know from where it came from.
“The party faced a defeat, a major defeat that will obviously have some consequences and some impact. On May 29, the President will be handing over and there is need to rebuild the party. We should not allow the party to disintegrate. Some sacrifices may have to be made for the greater good of rebuilding the party.”