When the elective committee (or shura) decided to swear allegiance to Uthman

When the Consultative Committee (or Shūrā) decided to swear allegiance to ‘Uthmān, Amīr al-mu’minīn said:

You have certainly known that I am the most rightful of all others for the Caliphate. By Allāh, so long as the affairs of Muslims remain intact and there is no oppression in it save on myself I shall keep quiet seeking…