By Ismail Auwal
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammad, is set to pick the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket as the state’s governorship candidate, Ibrahim Kashim, has withdrawn from the race.
The party’s spokesperson, Yayanuwa Zainabari, announced Kashim’s withdrawal from the race at a press conference in Bauchi on Tuesday, citing personal reasons.
He stated that the PDP would soon go through the proper procedures to replace Kashim.
“We shall make our position known within this week. The only option left for the party is to forward the name of his replacement to INEC for proper documentation,’’ he said.
Zainabari added that the party would replace Kashim with another competent, loyal and qualified member either through a fresh primary election or through affirmation as required by the party’s Constitution and the relevant laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that Kashim polled 655 votes from the 656 delegates that participated in the governorship primary election.
Kashim is the immediate past Secretary to the Government of Bauchi State.
Mohammed, a former senator and minister, was defeated in the PDP presidential primary held in Abuja on Saturday.
He received only 20 votes in the election won by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.