Jigawa governor, Abubakar Badaru, drops presidential ambition

Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Abubakar Badaru, has dropped his presidential ambition, following agreement reached by no fewer than 10 All Progressives Congress (APC) northern governors, that the party should zone its ticket to the South.

Badaru’s withdrawal is contained in a statement on Saturday jointly signed by nine governors and former governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako, the APC leader in Sokoto,  in support of a southern presidential candidate.

“We appeal to all aspirants from the northern states to withdraw in the national interest and allow only the aspirants from the south to proceed to the primaries.

READ: APC northern governors canvass power shift to South

“We are delighted by the decision of our esteemed colleague. His Excellency, Governor Abubakar Badaru to contribute to this patriotic quest by withdrawing his presidential aspiration,” the statement read in part.

President Muhammadu Buhari had at a meeting with APC governors and all the 23 presidential aspirants on Saturday evening at the State House, Abuja, called on the party to present “a flag bearer who will give Nigerians a sense of hope and confidence, while ensuring victory for our party”.

The APC presidential primary is scheduled for between June 6 and 8, 2022 in Abuja.