Date: 2018-10-02

Eight out of the 10 governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party, Kwara State chapter, withdrew from the primary election on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the eight aspirants announced their withdrawal at the resumed delegates' conference to elect a governorship candidate for the state in Ilorin.

NAN also reports that the primary, which was to hold on Sunday, was disrupted following an attempt to impose a candidate on the delegates.

At the resumed accreditation of delegates for the primary election, the eight aspirants announced their withdrawal from the race.

With the withdrawal of the eight governorship aspirants, the race is now between House of Representatives member, Hon. Razak Atunwa; and Senator Shaba Lafiaji, representing Kwara North at the Senate.

Aspirants that withdrew their participation include Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister for National Planning, Prof. Suleiman Abubakar, and Mohammed Ajia.

Others are Kwara Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad; Hon. Haman Patigi, Ladi Hassan, Hon. Zakari Mohammed and Saka Isau.

NAN reports that Senate President Bukola Saraki met with all the aspirants on Sunday night where it was resolved that they would withdraw from the race.

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, speaking with journalists, thanked Saraki for his counseling and purposeful leadership, which he said had kept members of the party united in the state.

He said voting has commenced and delegates were conducting themselves in orderly manner.

NAN reports that over 2,000 delegates drawn from the 16 local governments in the state were still casting their votes to elect the party's candidate for the 2019 governorship election. (NAN)