Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential convention planning committee, Abubakar Bagudu, said the party was yet to know if any aspirant had stepped down.

“I do not know officially who has stepped down because I cannot rely on the media reports,” Mr Bagudu told journalists at the convention venue.

Mr Bagudu explained that it was difficult to ascertain if any aspirant was stepping down until the convention was about to commence.

“There are many people who may choose to step down at some stage of the process either on the convention ground or otherwise.

“However, our constitution is very clear. Even if it is only two people remaining in the race, there will be an election.

“The reliable one will be when aspirants have been given permission in the programme to come and speak, and they declare that they are stepping down; that is in line with the constitution.”

Mr Bagudu said the direct election would hold as every delegate would be allowed to vote.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations so far, adding that all the committees for the convention, primarily the planning committee, had worked very hard.

“I am very happy about the state of readiness of the convention, particularly the election process itself,” he said. 

(NAN)