The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Kogi took a shocking turn as Edward Onoja, the state deputy governor, resigned in favor of Ahmed Usman-Ododo, the state’s auditor general.

Mr. Onoja was regarded as the front-runner for the APC ticket, and many predicted his victory at the primary.

Following Governor Yahaya Bello’s endorsement of Mr. Usman-Ododo, seven additional candidates—including a former commissioner for finance, David Adebanji-Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, and Okala Yakubu—also withdrew their names from the contest.

The Chairman of the primary election committee, Governor Mohammed Bello-Matawale of Zamfara, confirmed the latest development after a meeting with all aspirants on Thursday.

“All other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s direct primary election to be held across the state.

“The gentlemanly agreement was reached and announced at a stakeholders meeting of the party held on Thursday in Lokoja,’’ he said.

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The Chairman of the primary election committee said the Kogi state governor who hosted the meeting, unveiled his anointed candidate in the person of Mr Usman-Ododo.