BREAKING: PDP: Jimi Agbaje withdraws from Chairmanship race

One of the frontline contenders for the office of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Jimi Abgaje has withdrawn from the race.

His withdrawal bring to two the number of aspirants from the South West who withdrew from the race in the last 24 hours.

In a statement made available on Saturday, Agbaje said that his withdrawal was sequel to the inability of the zone to arrive at a consensus candidate. He said that the number of aspirants from the zone, which is seven, gives room for vote splitting, making it impossible for a winner to emerge from the zone.

Agbaje also apologized to his followers for the decision and thanked them for believing in his leadership abilities.

He said, “With less than 24 hours to the convention, I have painfully decided to withdraw from the race, hoping that others will join me in bringing down the number such that the South West can have a fighting chance of clinching the National Chairmanship of the PDP.

” I plead that we all put the overall interest of the PDP first.

I pledge my support to whoever emerges as the national chairman as determined at the national convention.

“I am however convinced that with 7 out of all 9 aspirants coming from the South West, this multiplicity of contenders will work to the detriment of our zone when it comes to voting. Delegates’ votes split 7 ways will not produce a chairman from the South West principles of zoning which have evenly balanced offices amongst the country’s geo-political zones.

In line with such zoning and other parameters, I have,at different fora, expressed my strong belief that the next National Chairman of our great party should come from the South West.”

He promised to work with whoever emerges as the new chairman of the party.

A’Chief Olabode George, one of the aspirants, also withdrew from the contest, saying that the inability of the party to micro zone the post South West prompted him to throw in the towel.

So far, about six aspirants are still in the race for the prestigious position in the party