A female presidential aspirant of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Dorothy Nuhu-Aken’Ova has withdrawn from the party primary election, scheduled for Tuesday in Abuja.
Nuhu-Aken’Ova announced her withdrawal at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, pledging her support for another presidential aspirant Adewole Adebayo.
The aspirant, who hails from Niger, said her decision to step down her presidential ambition was a demonstration of her loyalty to the party supremacy which zoned its presidential ticket to the Southern part of the country.
Nuhu-Aken’Ova, who expressed her passion to cause positive change in Nigeria, urged all her supporters and Nigerians to support Adebayo who she said shared the same passion with her.
“Before today, I was in the race for the presidential ticket which has however been zoned to the South. This has automatically ruled me out of the race.
“As an obedient and loyal member of the party, I have stepped down my aspiration.
“I must point out at this point that my abiding reason for seeking the highest office was never about me, but to propagate real change in Nigeria that will cause a turnaround for the citizens.
“I am pleased to inform you that, having been made ineligible to contest for the Presidency by the zoning, I have identified a formidable candidate who is still eligible to contest.
“A candidate who also shares the same passion, ideals and aspirations for socio-economic development of Nigeria and her citizens as I do.
“I have decided to throw my weight behind that credible candidate. He is our amiable and highly esteemed Prince Adewole Adebayo,” she said.
Nuhu-Aken’Ova said her decision was taken after full consultation with her supporters and constituents.
She urged her supporters and campaign organisation to work even harder with Adebayo and SDP in order to take over power at the federal level from the All Progressives Congress in 2023.
On his part, Adebayo commended Nuhu-Aken’Ova for taking a commendable decision that represented what SDP symbolised for laying a solid foundation towards building a government that works for the people.
Adebayo said the decision was to build a foundation for his administration that would constitute a government that would address insecurity to make Nigeria safe when elected.
“She is laying a foundation for a government where food is not a luxury, where ethnicity, religion, gender and all other discriminating practices would not be the centre point of our politics.
“A government where your bank account will not be the mileage of our politics. That is what she is making possible today and the action she has taken in the public interest,” said the aspirant.
Adebayo said that Nuhu-Aken’Ova was not only teaming up with his presidential ambition alone but with many civil rights organisations and women groups.
