From Victor Osula, Abuja
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has stepped down for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the ongoing presidential convention holding at the velodrome of the Mosshod Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
He did so after all 15 aspirants had made a 5-minutes address to the delegates.
Before accreditation of 767 delegates for the election started at 8:31 pm, the MC announced that Governor Tambuwal had a special announcement to make. Dressed in a white overall with camp to match, Tambuwal stepped forward and announced that he was stepping down for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, “after due dconsultation throughout the length and breath of this country, Northwest, North Central, North East, South east, Southsouth and southwest.”
He said he took the decision against what he called the hard times in the country which require good leadership and to minimize rancor, foster unity and close ranks in the party.
He said; “I have come to the conclusion to step down my aspiration for Atiku Abubakr and appeal to my supporters to take the stand in its stride.”
Giving substance to Tambuwal’s withdrawal, former Nation Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George said it was a smart move because the governor comes from the same Northwest zone of the country where Buhari comes from and would be hard for him to sell his candidacy if he emerged
Thereafter Governor Diri Duoye of the planning committee announced the rules of the game which included that casting votes for those who had stepped down, that is Governor Tambuwal, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and Dr Nwachukwu, would be regarded as voided vote. He also warned delegates not to take picture of those they voted for.
Thereafter, voting started states by states in alphabetical order.
