Governor Yahaya Bello on Thursday revealed his anointed candidate, Ahmed Usman-Ododo ahead of the Kogi Governorship primary election.
In the continuing drama, Usman-Ododo was then endorsed by seven aspirants who withdrew from the Kogi Governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Among those who withdrew was Edward Onoja, who was seen as the leading contender for the APC ticket.
The decision was made at a meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Lokoja, which was presided over by Governor Yahaya Bello.
Governor Mohammed Bello-Matawale of Zamfara, who chaired the primary election committee, confirmed the development after the meeting.
“All other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s direct primary election to be held across the state,” Bello-Matawale said.
“The gentlemanly agreement was reached and announced at a stakeholders meeting of the party held on Thursday in Lokoja,” he continued.
Mr. Onoja announced his withdrawal from the race and thanked Yahaya Bello and his supporters for their love and prayers. He urged his supporters to exhibit love, patience, and perseverance at the primary election and the governorship election scheduled for November 11, 2023.
Opposition Primary
The opposition party in Kogi, PDP, is expected to hold its primary on Friday as well. A suit seeking the nullification of the PDP’s delegates lists for the primary was dismissed by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday.
