Nigeria female candidate Oby Ezekwesili quits presidential race to help build a coalition to defeat the ruling party

The main female candidate in Nigeria's upcoming presidential election said she is withdrawing her candidacy to help build a coalition to defeat the ruling All Progressive Congress.

Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) announced her decision on Thursday in a series of posts on Twitter.

Over the past three months, I have been in private extended talks with other candidates to make a coalition possible that would allow Nigerians to exercise choice without feeling helplessly saddled with the #APCPDP.

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 24, 2019

I have decided to step down from the presidential race and focus on helping to build a Coalition for a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the 2019 general elections.

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 24, 2019

This coalition for a viable alternative has now more than ever before become an urgent mission for and on behalf of the citizenry.

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 24, 2019