Tahir said: "I regrettably wish to honourably withdraw from the race having realised that there is no clear direction and focus in the way and manner in which the activities of the party is being conducted in the state."
Sa'ad M.C. Tahir, immediate past acting Governor of Adamawa State, and Dr. Umar Ardo, have boycotted the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
In separate press releases obtained by SaharaReporters, Tahir and Ardo alluded to irregularities as reasons for their withdrawal from the process.
Tahir said: "I regrettably wish to honourably withdraw from the race having realised that there is no clear direction and focus in the way and manner in which the activities of the party is being conducted in the state."
On his part, Ardo who is a notable serial contestant, said: "Having keenly participated in the process of conducting the gubernatorial primary election, I have inevitably concluded, rather painfully, that the entire exercise is not worth continuing.
"Among many other irregularities, the guidelines for the conduct of the exercise have been scornfully flaunted as a large number of statutory delegates were removed and duly elected Ad Hoc delegates and Ward Executives changed.
"Against the provisions of the law, none of the aspirants is formally availed the Delegate List up to this moment, when accreditation of delegates is almost complete. Virtually no rule guides the exercise!
"Under these circumstances I think it is best to keep my personal and political integrity intact and withdraw from the race. There is no point pursuing a cause in which justice, equity, honesty and rule of law are ignobly compromised. Consequently, I have withdrawn from the contest."