Ahead of the All Progressives Congress, APC Governorship primary election in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, the Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja, and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mohammed Asuku, have withdrawn from the race.
This was announced at the stakeholders meeting of the party held in Thursday in Lokoja, the state capital less than 24 hours to the conduct of the APC direct primaries to nominate a candidate for the November 11 election
The meeting was held at the party’s State Secretariat and hosted by Governor Yahaya Bello who unveiled his preferred successor in the person of 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, Edward Onoja, whom many had thought will naturally succeed Governor Bello before now, posted a cryptic message on Facebook, which reads: “To God be the glory for life and divine health. My appreciation to my leader, His Excellency, 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, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mohammed Asuku, who was also seen as a frontrunner because of his closeness to the Governor, posted: “Alhamdulillah!
All praises and adoration are due to the most high God the greater of the entire universe and the sustainer of same who have safeguard my life and that of my immediate family and well wishers to witness this moment in my life. I sincerely appreciate His Excellency, my benefactor, for all that Allah has been using him to do in my life”
In a similar development, other aspirants including former Commissioner for Finance, David Adebanji Jimoh and the likes of Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril have also withdrawn from the governorship race.
However, Chairman of APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Governor Mohammed Bello of Zamfara State said that all other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s exercise that will be held across the state.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
