September 6, 2014 – Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has withdrawn from primaries which will take place on Saturday September 6th, to pick the candidate that will represent the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the governorship election coming up October 11, 2014.
Ribadu was among the three candidates granted waiver by the PDP to contest for the primaries a week ago. Apart from Ribadu, seven other candidates also withdrew from the race.
They are Awwal Tukur, Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawus Sawa, James Barka, Aliyu Kama, Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei. Withdrawal of these candidates is based on the outcome of a meeting held in Abuja on Thursday night with the aspirants by Senate President, Senator David Mark and members of the national working committee (NWC) of the party.
Those still in the race are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Umar Ardo, acting Governor Umaru Fintiri and Jerry Kumdisi.
Speaking with the media at the end of the meeting, chairman of the Adamawa chapter of the party, Mr. Joel Madaki said fourteen aspirants had earlier indicated interest in the race but that it has now been reduced to six due to the meeting.
“It is a very welcome idea. Nobody was forced to step them. Those who stepped down did so voluntarily in order to wait to contest for the position in 2015.”
Speaking at the occasion, a former Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak hailed outcome of the meeting.
“The outcome of the meeting was fantastic. We met as family members of PDP, even before coming here all the aspirants in Adamawa have unanimously resolved that after the primaries, in a free, fair primaries, anybody that emerges will get our support.
“Today, in this meeting, the number of the aspirants have been drastically reduced to six, which is manageable. And we have resolved to go into the primary without rancour, without acrimony and to come out of it as peaceful co-existing members. And at the end of it all, anybody that emerges, we will all queue behind him. And if I emerge as the candidate, they will all queue behind me. It is going to be a family affair and there will be no losers”, he said.
