Leadership Newspaper Chairman Steps Down! Set To Contest Under APC

The chairman of Leadership Newspaper, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah has
stepped down to contest for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress
(APC).

A statement was issued by the group managing director, Mr
Azubuike Ishiekwene on behalf of the company’s board. He said, Mr Nda-Isaiah
decided to step down after months of conversations with his family, friends and
associates to answer a national call. Find the press statement after the cut.

“On April 3, 2014,
the chairman and founder of LEADERSHIP Group will step down from his current
position as chairman. This is not a decision that he is taking lightly.

“Mr Nda-Isaiah had told the Board at its last meeting in
February that having secured the company on a solid path of growth, he felt the
need to answer a national call to work with millions of  men, women, young and old of all faith and
creed who have, in an earnest search for something really new, invested their
hopes and dreamsfor a better country in SAM4NIGERIA.”

The statement by Ishiekwene continued: “Mr Nda-Isaiah is not
unaware of the trepidations, genuine and not so genuine, by persons who fear
the worst not just for the company but also for what his coming out would mean.

“He has set the company on a solid growth path and we are
proud of his legacy. In the last one year since he stepped down as
editor-in-chief of LEADERSHIP Group, a start-up which he founded 10 years ago,
he has gravitated more and more towards active politics.

“In that time, he has been humbled by the tremendous show of
goodwill and support across faith, ethnic, professional and generational
lines.”

The statement further said: “It would be inconsistent with
Mr Nda-Isaiah’s personal values, respect for the public’s goodwill and the
principles of good corporate governance for him to continue as chairman of
LEADERSHIP Group and to wear – or be seen to wear – the hat of an active
politician.

“It is also a matter of common sense that any such meddling
– real or perceived – can only undermine the credibility of LEADERSHIP’s news
platforms that Nda-Isaiah has invested his entire life and resources to build
up.”

The statement said the management was pleased that
LEADERSHIP Group, now comprising six subsidiaries, had grown from strength to
strength even in Nda-Isaiah’s absence as editor-in-chief  with the most profound growth in stature,
reach and impact in 2013.

The statement added: “The editors have agreed that
Nda-Isaiah could maintain his Monday column for now. While he bears full
responsibility for what he writes, the views of the newspaper are not
necessarily his own.

“We would strive to maintain the public’s support, patronage
and goodwill and promise to build on Nda-Isaiah’s legacy to continue to make
LEADERSHIP one of the country’s most vibrant and trusted brands.

“As Nda-Isaiah steps out to answer a national call, we wish
him good speed and success and promise the public that this would be the
LEADERSHIP they have always known – fair and fearless in the service of God and
country.”