Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has unveiled the state’s Auditor-General, Ahmed Usman-Ododo, as his preferred successor.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election will be held on Friday in Lokoja, the capital.

On Thursday, six hopefuls, including deputy governor Edward Onoja, withdrew from the contest, NAN reports.

They are ex-Finance Commissioner David Adebanji-Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, Abdulkareem Asuku (Chief of Staff), and Accountant-General Momoh Jibrin.

The aspirants stepped down at a meeting that took place at the party’s secretariat and was presided over by Governor Bello.

Chairman of the election committee, Governor Mohammed Bello-Matawale, confirmed that a “gentlemanly agreement” was reached.

The Zamfara helmsman said his Kogi counterpart unveiled Usman Ododo as his anointed candidate for the November 11 gubernatorial poll.

“All other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s direct primary election,” Matawalle added.