Three gubernatorial aspirants contesting the primaries on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State have stepped down before the commencement of voting.
The aspirants who stepped down in the early hours of Monday are Dr. Gabriel Tivlumun Nyitse; Mr Joe Iorapuu and Dave Iorhemba.
They said they stepped down in the interest of the party.
Addressing delegates at the Aper Aku Stadium, venue of the primaries, Gabriel Nyitse said PDP needed to maintain its stronghold for a great come back in 2019.
He advised the party to always ensure they reward party members and advised that the party should not develop the culture of allowing aspirant’s dreams to be stopped half way.
According to him this was the second time he would step down in the interest of the party.
“I had stepped down in 2014 and today in 2018, I am doing same. It is for our good,” he said.
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Mr Dave Iorhemba and Joe Iorapuu said they were stepping down for the party’s decision to prevail.
He said he was stepping down for the sake of the young women and children in the state to be protected by a sole candidate of the party who would represent them rightly in the general election.
Earlier, Chief Bola Olu-Oju, secretary of the electoral body for the PDP primaries in Benue welcomed all participants.
He informed that over 3,000 delegates were accredited for the exercise.
Olu-Oju assured that the electoral committee and all involved would ensure a free and fair primary was conducted in the interest of the party and country at large.
Our correspondent reports that four aspirants are still in the race.
They include incumbent governor, Samuel Ortom; Hon. John Tondo; Engr. Felix Atume and Dr. Paul Orhii.
