Ibikunle Amosun, a former governor of Ogun, claims he chose not to run for president in order to further the interests of the south-west.
At a gathering held in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun, on Thursday, Amosun spoke.
Following his involvement in the presidential primaries, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) attended the gathering to "welcome Amosun home" and to raise support for Bola Tinubu, the party's nominee.
The former governor of Ogun withdrew his name from consideration for the president and advised his followers to endorse the former governor of Lagos.
Amosun said he made the decision to resign out of respect for the zone's elders while speaking to the crowd of supporters at the Alake's palace in Abeokuta.
He was cited by NAN as adding, "Our Yoruba elders had contacted us and told us that if we really wanted the president to return to the south-west region, we must look for a way to be together."
"Around two years ago, I also admitted to my close friends that I wanted to lead the country as president, but that my desire could not trump or outweigh the interests of the south-west or the entire country.
Nigeria is the only other country we have, and I think it will be fantastic. We must all work together and join forces.
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