By Demola Akinyemi, ILORIN

A total number of 16 dignitaries collected the nomination forms for the gubernatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State.

Read Also:Kwara gov poll: AbdulRazaq names preferred successor

Vanguard however, gathered that one of the aspirants, the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies( NILDS), Abuja, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman has withdrew from the contest.

He announced his withdrawal from the gubernatorial primary slated for Thursday in a statement he personally signed yesterday.

Sulaiman’s withdrawal came hours after the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor.

Announcing his withdrawal from the race, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman said his decision followed “extensive consultations and recent developments” ahead of the party’s governorship primaries on Thursday.

He said his decision was driven by responsibility, wisdom and commitment to the collective interest of Kwara State and the APC.

“After extensive consultations and recent developments, I have decided to withdraw from the gubernatorial race ahead of the forthcoming party primaries.

“This decision was not made lightly. However, I believe leadership must always be guided by wisdom, responsibility and commitment to the greater good,” he stated.

Similarly, another frontline gubernatorial aspirant and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Salihu- Danladi has aligned himself with the position of Governor AbdulRazaq even
though, he has not announced his withdrawal from the primary election,

The speaker of the State House of Assembly said he received with enthusiasm, the endorsement of Ambassador Yahaya Seriki by the governor as his successor.

He stated this in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Sheu AbdulKadir Yusuf.

“The endorsement of my good brother and ally Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki, MFR as a preferred candidate to fly the guber ticket of our party by His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON is a welcome development and as a commited and loyal party member with absolute belief in the leadership of the governor as our undisputed leader, I align myself with the endorsement in deference to the party’s supremacy.

“Amba as he is fondly called is someone with whom I share deep and mutual respect, his endorsement is highly merited as the number one supporter and friend of the governor and our government, a successful businessman would be coming on board with a lot to offer and to consolidate the achievements of our leader, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

“At this juncture , the right thing to do for every loyal party member is to queue behind Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as our leader in his wisest choice of his successor, close rank and continue to work for the victory of our party in the 2027 general election and beyond”, Danladi- Salihu said.

The remaining 13 aspirants that would slug it out with the governor ‘s anointed candidate are Olufemi Kolawole Sanni, Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Mohammed Omar Bio, Muhammed Dele Belgore (SAN), Dr. Alabi Oluwatoyin Tajudeen and Tajudeen Audu Abdulkadir.

Others are Senator Salihu Mustapha, Azeez Salako Muideen, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, Ahmad Ibrahim Mahmoud, Yetunde Musiliat Bello- Adebowale , Mahalia Aishatu Ahman Pategi, P and Prof. Wale Sulaiman.

When contacted, the state APC chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi said it’s only the party’s national secretariat that could confirm the number of aspirants that would participate in the gubernatorial primary election.