The Peoples Democratic Party says hundreds of Labour Party loyalists are ready to throw their weight behind its gubernatorial candidate in Katsina, Yakubu Lado-Danmarke.

The PDP dismissed claims that its governorship flag bearer had withdrawn from the race.

Kabir Yusuf-Yar’adu, the PDP campaign media committee chairman, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina.

“I wish to state that the PDP gubernatorial candidate is very much in the race,” said the statement. “Only this evening, he received hundreds of Labour Party loyalists who intend to support him, another indication that he is very much in the race.”

The Katsina chapter of the PDP said a “fake press release” was circulating that the party’s gubernatorial candidate had withdrawn his candidature.

“PDP wishes to state that the press release is fake and untrue. The director campaign for the candidate, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, has never endorsed any letter carrying the letter headed paper of the PDP. The campaign council has its own headed paper, which it issues press releases on,” added the statement.

It added, “Similarly, the PDP campaign council wishes to advise people of the state to disregard the fake press release. The fake press release was a clear desperation of the ruling party, APC, to discredit the PDP gubernatorial candidate who is by the day gaining popularity from the electorate.”

The PDP campaign council urged the Katsina electorate to disregard the press release.

(NAN)