Announcing his withdrawal through a letter addressed to the governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the national convention committee planning chairman, Ladoja said the decision was to help the South-West produce a consensus aspirant from the zone.
“I, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, an aspirant for the national chairmanship position hereby formally inform you of my decision to withdraw from the race.
“Having given a deep consideration to the circumstances in respect of the said race, particularly as it concerns the multiplicity of aspirants from the South-West and in common interest and the good of my zone, the South-West and our great party, the only choice open to me is to bow out of the race.
“This decision is also to produce the desired outcome of a sole consensus candidate to represent the South-West zone and thereby improve the chances of the candidate.
“Please accept the assurances of my high respect and kind regards,” Ladoja said in the letter which was copied to the national caretaker committee chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
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