Nda-Isaiah steps aside as Leadership chairman to pursue political ambition

Ibrahim Sheme

Publisher of Leadership group of newspapers, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, will from today cease to be the chairman of the company in order to pursue his political aspiration.
He will, however, maintain his acerbic Monday column in the Abuja-based daily.

Nda-Isaiah, 52, is seeking to run for president on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement issued last night by the Group Managing Director of Leadership Newspapers Group, Mr Azubuike Ishiekwene, on behalf of the Board of Directors, said Nda-Isaiah’s decision was arrived at “after months of conversations with his family, friends and associates to answer a national call.”
He said: “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 women, men, young and old of all faith and creed who have, in an earnest search for something really new, invested their hopes and dreams for a better country.”

The managing director added that the erstwhile chairman was “not unaware of the trepidation, genuine and not so genuine, by persons who fear the worst not just for the company but also for his coming out would mean.
“He has set the company on a solid growth path and we are proud of his legacy,” he said.
“In the last one year since he stepped down as Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Group, a start-up which he founded ten 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.”
Ishiekwene said the publisher was stepping down because it would be “inconsistent” with his personal values, respect for the public’s goodwill and the principles of good governance for him to continue as chairman.
“It is also a matter of commonsense that any such meddling – real or perceived – can only undermine the credibility of Leadership’s news platforms,” he added.

He said 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.”
Ishiekwene wished the erstwhile chairman godspeed and success, while promising the public that Leadership would remain “fair and fearless in the service of God and country.”