A gubernatorial aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Barrister Halima Alfa Gaya, has voluntarily withdrawn from the primary to elect the party’s candidate for the 2023 election in Kogi state.
Dr Gaya is the first woman aspirant to withdraw from the race.
In a letter made available to newsmen, Gaya said, her withdrawal is in interest of peace, cohesion and unity of APC in Kogi state.
“The party in the state is at a critical juncture in its existence and it will serve its interest better if men and women of good will make the needed sacrifices that will help in galvanising the party to victory.
“I want to inform you also that I was never in any way cajoled into making this decision because I have never seen politics as a do or die affair but as a world accepted vehicle to recruit leaders to better serve the interest of our people who first of all are the reasons for political contestations.
“My decision is borne out of the fact that sometimes we stand for reasons which are bigger than us to be better served. The APC in the state was formed to be a vehicle to better the lots of Kogi citizens and this is what it has been able to achieve over the years especially during the last eight years of the Yahaya Bello administration. Going forward I think the sacrifice to bring about a smooth transition to another APC administration is one which as a mother I am willing to do to aid the party’s cohesion, unity of purpose and acceptability as we go into the next election in oneness.
“There is never an expressway to a truly beneficial freedom. When freedom is offered on a golden platter, the value of the platter far often overshadows the offerings. My offerings in this case is the unity of the party which my opting to withdraw from the race will better serve and I am very proud of it. I want to assure the party leadership, stakeholders and membership that I will be ready to support which ever candidate that emerge from the primary of our great party in the general election to make victory sure.
“Finally, I want to assure you that I was satisfied with the process leading to this important primary election as it was devoured of any rancour that would have led to any form of acrimony, the road to success may be hard and long but I am assured of the victory which we deserve in the long run.
“I shall forever cherish my participation in the process leading to this primary and even though I eventually decided because of the greater good to withdraw from the race, I appreciate the state party leader, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his sterling leadership qualities and the whole leaders of the party in the state for being bridge builders for a better APC in the state. I therefore wish the party well”, the letter maintained.
