Not fewer than seven out of sixteen governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming election in Kogi state have stepped down, the Nigerian Tribune has reported.
The aspirants, who are said to be from the Kogi East senatorial district, also announced the collapse of their structures to back former governor, Captain Idris Wada.
Those that stepped down include AVM Salihu Atawodi, Muhammed Tetes, Emmanuel Omebije, Grace Iye Adejor and Victor Adoji.
It was gathered that a spokesperson for the Kogi East Elders Council (KEEC), a group in the PDP, Arc Gabriel Aduku, stated this while addressing journalists in Lokoja, the capital of the state ahead of the PDP governorship primaries.
Aduku revealed that there was a meeting between the elders and nine governorship aspirants from the area.
According to him, those who attended the meeting deliberated and came to a conclusion that there was no need for everyone from the area to contest, but that they should look for an experienced aspirant.
At the end of the meeting, he said, seven aspirants agreed to step down for Wada. Aduku argued that Wada has only one term and it should be an opportunity to complete his tenure as governor of the state.
A former deputy governor of the old Benue state, Mr Sule Iyagi, confirmed the development, adding that the decision on Wada is informed by his experience as a former governor.
