by Laila Ibrahim

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed why eight of the party’s fourteen candidates vying for the gubernatorial post in Adamawa state, stepped down.

According to the National Secretary of the party, Wale Oladipo, a consensus was reached that whoever goes ahead to contest in Saturday’s election, will lose the right to contest in 2015.

Oladipo who stressed that all 14 aspirants signed the agreement, stated that the party also agreed to zone the governorship seat to the Central Senatorial District.

The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in the early hours of Thursday to Friday morning, was attended by Senate President, David Mark, who was the chairman; the 14 aspirants; governors of Gombe and Bauchi States, deputy National Chairman, political adviser to the President, principal secretary to the President, chairman and secretary of Adamawa PDP.

The six aspirants still in the race for the party’s ticket on Saturday are: Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi. While those who have withdrawn include: Nuhu Ribadu, Auwal Tukur, Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawas Sawa, James Barka, Aliyu Kama, Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei.

Emmanuel Chidiogo