The immediate past National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mustapha Salihu and two Adamawa governorship aspirants of the party have withdrawn from the race in support of Ahmed Galadima ahead of the party’s primary election scheduled for today.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by his media team in Abuja on Thursday.
Galadima, an executive secretary and CEO of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, resigned his appointment two months ago to pursue the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development is believed to have strengthened Galadima’s chances of emerging as the party’s governorship flagbearer.
The aspirants who stepped down alongside Salihu are Diaulhaq Abubakar and Alhaji Ibrahim Thul.
Announcing his withdrawal, Abubakar said the decision was taken in the interest of party unity and progress.
He urged his supporters across the state to support Galadima’s ambition and work for the success of the APC in the state.
Abubakar also pledged N200 million and all his campaign offices to support the Galadima campaign.
Also announcing his withdrawal, Salihu noted that he stepped down in the interest of unity within the party.
He subsequently declared his intention to contest the Adamawa Central Senatorial seat, stressing that the stability and success of the APC should take precedence over personal ambition.
In a thank-you visit on Wednesday evening, Galadima commended Salihu for what he described as his selflessness and leadership qualities.
He said, “I promised to work with him to advance the interest of Adamawa State. I also wish him success in his senatorial ambition.”
Barely 24 hours to the primary, Thul also withdrew from the governorship contest in support of Galadima.
In his statement, Thul said his decision was based on what he described as “the spirit of sportsmanship”, adding that “Galadima remains a unifying figure capable of bringing together party faithful and advancing the collective interest of the APC in Adamawa State.”