Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, scheduled for Friday in Kogi state, the Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja, and the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Mohammed Abdulkareem Asuku amongst others have withdrawn from the race.
This was announced at the stakeholders’ meeting of the party held yesterday in Lokoja.
The meeting was held at the party’s Secretariat and hosted by the state governor, Yahaya Bello, who unveiled his preferred candidate as the Auditor General of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Meanwhile, Onoja and Asuku announced their withdrawal from the governorship race via their respective verified Facebook pages shortly after the meeting in Lokoja.
The deputy governor, whom many had thought will succeed Bello before now, posted a cryptic message on his Facebook, which reads: “To God be the glory for life and divine health. My appreciation to my leader, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, and all my supporters for your love and prayers. Let love, patience, and perseverance lead. I am forever grateful.”
On his part, Asuku, who was also seen as a frontrunner because of his closeness to the governor, posted, “I sincerely appreciate His Excellency, my benefactor, for all that Allah has been using him to do in my life.
“As such, I hereby submit myself publicly to the decision taken today and I will forever live to remain loyal and dedicated to the decision of my party as I enjoin all my well-wishers to work with us for our great party APC to become victorious in the November 11th General Election.”
In a similar development, other aspirants like David Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril have also withdrawn from the race.
However, the Chairman of the primary committee and Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawale said that all other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s primary to be held across the state.
