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Former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has formally withdrawn from the national chairmanship race of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sheriff made this declaration on Sunday in Abuja.
The frontline politician said he made the decision after the party zoned the office of the national chairman to the North Central region as he is from the North East region.
But despite the endorsement, some other aspirants vying for the chairmanship seat refused to withdraw from the race.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, on Sunday, Sheriff said he chose to opt out of the race because it was not zoned to his region.
He said, “The President has taken a position. I have always told you that I will contest if it is zoned to my zone. I respect Mr President because he is my leader. He has a reason for saying the position should be zoned to the North-Central.
“I don’t want to draw a line. I don’t want to oppose the President in any way. So I will not contest unless they change their mind between now and Saturday. I won’t contest an election that is clearly zoned out of my zone.”
The Borno ex-governor had earlier said that he would abide by President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision on who becomes the party’s next helmsman.
Some of those who purchased the chairmanship form of the ruling party said they were not aware of Buhari’s preference for Adamu.
The APC convention is scheduled for Saturday. Preparations are currently ongoing.
