He also said that he will not contest for the Umno vice-president’s post as there were already three candidates from Johor gunning for it, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“If I join the race, there will be four of us contesting for the vice-presidency. In reality, if there are too many people from the same state, the chances of winning will be slim,” he said.

“The delegates will also question why there are so many candidates from Johor.”

Ahmad said he would be submitting his candidacy papers at the Pontian Umno headquarters this evening.

The three candidates from Johor are incumbent Khaled Nordin, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said and Hasni.

The other candidates contesting for the vice-president’s post are Titiwangsa MP Johari Ghani, foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, Pahang menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Supreme Council member Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, former housing and local government minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican and incumbent Mahdzir Khalid.

Nominations for the Umno elections close today.

The elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri leadership posts will be held on March 11, while division officials, vice-presidents and members of the Supreme Council will be elected on March 18.