According to multiple sources, Kogi State Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja, and the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello — Mohammed Asuku, have withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary election scheduled for Friday.
This was revealed in the party’s stakeholders meeting held on Thursday in Lokoja, where Governor Yahaya Bello unveiled his preferred candidate as the Auditor-General of the state, Ahmed Ododo.
Shortly after the meeting in Lokoja, Onoja and Asuku declared they were quitting the run for governor on their individual verified Facebook accounts.
Before today, many believed that Edward Onoja, the deputy governor, would inevitably succeed Governor Bello.
The deputy governor, Edward Onoja wrote, “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.”
For his part, the governor’s Chief of Staff, Asuku, who was also seen as a frontrunner in the race 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 the 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 11th General Elections.”
In other news, other aspirants such as David Adebanji Jimoh, a former Commissioner for Finance; Asiwaju Ashiru Idris; Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril have also withdrawn from the governorship race.
