The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial standard bearer in Niger State, Isah Liman Kantigi, has denied reports making the rounds that he has withdrawn from the governorship race.

Kantigi, in a statement issued by one of the elders of Kantigi Movement 2023, Abdullahi Kwatu Paiko, deacribed the reports as “baseless and unfounded”.

He said: “This is not the first time we have been witnessing such rumour and blackmail even after primary election that the candidate was declared winner.

“Before the PDP primary election over 20 petitions were written to the screening committee in Abuja and all their allegations were baseless as they could not substantiate it with documents.”

He lamented the attitude of some members of the PDP in the state “who are supposed to give their support to the candidate with an over whelming vote at the primary but, rather decided to engage in character assassination.”

He added: “No amount of rumour or blackmail will deter Kantigi from perfecting his ambition towards making his set objectives realisable.

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“As it is, Kantigi is more focused and determine to pursue his ambition knowing full well the antics of detractors who are bent on bringing him down as the only option to pave way for their selfish tendencies.

“Now, our concern is focusing on the choice of his running mate which we are still consulting, even as the Kantigi movement strategies to win general elections. The strategies are being mapped out which will be roll out soon.”

Paiko, however, urged the candidate’s supporters to be resolute just as he assured them that “his candidacy is none negotiable as he will continue to strive to achieve the desire goals of giving hope to people of the state.”

The Star