The ruling Party had announced the Direct Primary will be the mode of Primary to produce the Candidate who will fly the Party's flag in the November 11 Governorship Election.

Following a Stakeholders meeting, the outgoing Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello revealed his preferred successor to be a former Local Government Auditor General, Ahmed Usman Ododo who is from the same senatorial district as Yahaya Bello.

Alongside Onoja, others who have withdrawn from the race are: Mohammed Abdulkareem Asuku (the Governor's Chief of Staff), David Adebanji Jimoh; a former Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Ashiru Idris; Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril.