PDP CHAIRMANSHIP: Like George, Agbaje withdraws from race

A frontline contender for the chairmanship position of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the ongoing national convention of the party, Jimi Agbaje has stepped down.
Agbaje in a letter to the Chairman, PDP National Convention Planning Committee, in which he also
copied the Chairman, National Caretaker Committee dated December 8, 2017 noted that he was withdrawing to increase the chances of the South West to grab the coveted seat.
Another candidate, Chief Body George also from the South West zone had also earlier announced his withdrawal from the race about 24 hours to the commencement of the national convention presently holding in Abuja.

While both men did not mention if they were giving their support for any particular candidate, they noted that the number of candidates from their zone would make it virtually impossible for the to emerge winner of the party’s chairmanship seat.
Agbaje’s letter read in part, “Our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has, from inception, adopted certain principles, which have evenly balanced offices amongst the country’s geo-political zones. In line with such and other parameters, I have, at different fora, expressed my strong belief that the next National Chairman should come from the South-West.
“I am however convinced that with 7 out of all 9 aspirants coming from the South-West, this multiplicity of contenders will work to the detriment of our zone when it comes to voting. Delegates’ votes split 7 ways will not produce a chairman from the South-West. It therefore becomes necessary to prune our number down to no more than two.
“With less than 24 hours to the convention, I have painfully decided to withdraw from the race hoping that others will join me in bringing down the number such that the South-West can have a fighting chance of clinching the National Chairmanship of the PDP.
“The support from serving and past governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, women, youth and opinion leaders has been tremendous. While sincerely thanking them for their unflinching loyalty, I empathize with the great disappointment they must feel at this decision. I plead that we all put the overall interest of PDP first.
“I pledge my support to whoever emerges as the National Chairman as determined at the National Convention.
“Kindly take this letter as my formal notice of withdrawal from the race for National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party”.