Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Kogi State scheduled for Friday, the Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja; and the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Mohammed Asuku have withdrawn from the race.
This was announced at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday at the party secretariat in Lokoja, the state capital.
The meeting was hosted by Governor Yahaya Bello, who unveiled his preferred candidate in the person of the Auditor General of the state, Ahmed 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 message on his Facebook page which reads: “To God be the glory for life and divine health. My appreciation to my leader, HE Alhaji 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In a similar development, other aspirants like David Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril have also withdrawn from the race.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Chairman of the primary committee and Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawale said that all other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s primary to be held across the state.