ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Few hours to the commencement of the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State, one of the eight aspirants, Muhammad Al-Amin, has withdrawn from the race.
Al-Amin while speaking to journalists at a press conference held on Thursday at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi, said his decision to step down was not out of any compulsion or any reason other than the respect he has for his party.
He said: “On behalf of myself and teaming supporters, I wish to formally announce my decision to withdraw from participating in the Bauchi State gubernatorial primary election of one great party the All Progressive Congress (APC)”.
“My decision to withdraw from this all importance election is in the interest of the party and to foster unity and purpose among the aspirants which I have the privilege to chair the 2022 governorship aspirants’ forum as only one of us will win the party’s ticket on one hand and to ensure the victory of our party at the polls.
“It is important to state that my withdrawal from the contest is to encourage more aspirants to follow suits in order to have a hitch free primary election. As a bonified member of our great party, I feel I should make this sacrifice of withdrawing from the contest of the 2022 governorship primary so as to make APC in Bauchi State a one united family.
“My stepping aside has nothing to do with misunderstanding or the process of the primary. I am not stepping down for any aspirant and I wish the remaining seven aspirants still in the race, the best. All of them are competent and reliable aspirants who have what it takes to govern our state.”
He assured the party that he will remain committed to the party and support whoever emerges as the governorship candidate.
“The people of Bauchi asked me to contest the governorship primary and it is the same people that asked me to step down and wait for another time, so I have to do that,” he stated.
Other aspirants still in the race are: the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Saddique; former Commissioner of Finance in Bauchi State and Philanthropist, Nura Manu Soro;
Others are:a former Minister of State for Health, Prof. Ali Pate; Senator, Bauchi Central, Haliru Jika; a former Secretary to the Bauchi State government, Mahmood Maijama’a and a former Executive Chairman, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Dr. Musa Babayo and Faruk Mustapha.
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