The Kogi State deputy governor Edward Onoja, and the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Mohammed Asuku, have withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.
Onoja and Asuku made the development known via their respective verified Facebook pages shortly after the meeting in Lokoja.
Onoja, who was tipped to succeed Yahaya Bello, wrote on his Facebook: “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, the governor’s Chief of Staff, Asuku, who was also seen as a frontrunner because of his closeness to the governor, posted: “Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah !!Alhamdulillah !!!
All praises and adoration are due to the most high God, the greater of the entire universe and the sustainer of same who has safeguarded 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. 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 11 governorship election.”
Other aspirants like David Jimoh; a former Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Ashiru Idris; Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril, also withdrew from the governorship race.
Reports allege that Governor Yahaya Bello has anointed the Auditor General of the state, Ahmed Ododo as his preferred candidate.
