Two term Governor of Ondo and Presidential candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has has formally announced his withdrawal from the 2019 Presidential race.

Mimiko who made this known on Thursday while meeting with national leaders and members of his party from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, said he would now be running as the candidate of the ZLP for Ondo Central Senatorial district in next year’s election.

“I took the decision in the ultimate interest of our party, the Zenith Labour Party,” he said.

Speaking on the development, ZLP candidate for the Senatorial district and former Commissioner for Works under the Mimiko’s administration, Gboye Adegbenro, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that he was stepping down for Mimiko “in the interest of the Zenith Labour Party and our dear state.”

“I am convinced that the candidacy of our leader, the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, will better serve the interest of the district now and the overall goal of the south-west. Mimiko is a Better Candidate whose national and international exposure and achievements as a two-term Governor, will further add value to the state and the country at large,” he stressed.

“I remain a firm believer and supporter of my brother and leader, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who invited me into partisan politics and who has always provided selfless leadership,” he added.

Read » Mimiko formally backs out of Presidential race, accepts to run for Senate on YNaija