APC chieftain Princess Hadiza Ibrahim withdrew from the Kogi State governorship primary due to conflict with House of Representatives member James Faleke’s aspirations.
Faleke later withdrew from the race, citing preoccupation with the presidential election that led to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory.
Ibrahim previously ran for governorship in 2015 and 2019.
Addressing reporters in Lokoja, the state capital, she said: “I wish to state emphatically that the reason I did not obtain the Expression of Interest form for the APC governorship primary election coming up in April was borne out of some political reasons.
“I also wish to inform you that my ambition is borne out of the genuine desire to provide a people-oriented leadership that would ensure the provision of needed gains of democracy to our people in line with their wishes and aspirations.
“However, that desire can only be attained when it is not in conflict with my political leader, James Faleke, who is my political mentor and teacher. Having worked so closely with him on the political front for years, I consider it an affront to be in the same contest with him. A student cannot know more than the teacher.
“It is no longer news that James Faleke is also in the race for the governorship seat of Kogi State.”
“He was the governorship running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu in 2015 and the ticket was cruising to victory before Audu’s sudden death. The development created a political vacuum that has been so difficult to fill.
“For this reason and more, I have decided to allow reason to prevail to ensure that the vacuum is filled to ensure fairness and justice.”
