Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello has endorsed the state’s Auditor-General, Ahmed Usman-Ododo as his preferred successor.
This is coming ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election scheduled to hold on Friday in Lokoja, the state capital.
On Thursday, NAN reports that six hopefuls, including a deputy governor, Edward Onoja, withdrew from the contest.
They are ex-Finance Commissioner David Adebanji-Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, Abdulkareem Asuku (Chief of Staff) and Accountant-General Momoh Jibrin.
The aspirants stepped down at a meeting that took place at the party’s secretariat and was presided over by Governor Bello
Chairman of the election committee, Governor Mohammed Bello-Matawale confirmed that a “gentlemanly agreement” was reached.
The Zamfara helmsman said his Kogi counterpart unveiled Usman-Ododo as his anointed candidate for the November 11 gubernatorial poll.
“All other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s direct primary election,” Matawalle added.