The winner of the January governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho, has denied that he had withdrawn from the race.
Echocho was, in a statement by his media consultant Mr. Phrank Shaibu, reacting to insinuations that he had voluntarily opted out of the governorship race.
“For some time now, we have refrained from joining issues with anyone regarding the December 3, 2011 governorship election in Kogi State because of our respect for the PDP leadership as well as our belief that the questions being raised are issues that should be resolved among brothers for the good of our dear state.
“The rumour of Echocho’s withdrawal from the race is spurious, tendentiously wicked as well as a calculated and devious attempt by the opposition to distract the people of the state who are waiting anxiously for the election.
“In fact, it is a robust lie and a figment of the demented imagination of the peddlers of the rumour to subject him to outrageous infamy so as to ridicule the mandate freely given to him by PDP members on January 9, 2011. But this will not in any way diminish his awesome popularity. Their tactics is outdated, puerile and an embarrassingly cheap commodity that cannot be bought, even in jankara market,” the statement read.
