He joined the duo of Ife Oyedele and Adebayo Shittu who had earlier stepped down for Iyiola Omisore.
With this, Omisore has emerged the National Secretary of the APC unopposed.
Olaiya was led to the stage by a former governor of Ogun state, Olusegun Osoba.
Osoba pleaded with him to step down out of respect for the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and leaders of the party in the South West.
Speaking, Olaiya said he decided to contest because nobody had met with him to step down.
He said but for the intervention of some traditional rulers and Osoba he would have proceeded with the election not minding if he loses.
He said, “But for the intervention of Chief Osoba and traditional rulers, I would not be doing what I am doing. I had expected when the president announced that we should use consultation, that they would have reached out to me as one of the aspirants but nobody consulted me.
“I had thought they wanted election, which I was prepared for, not minding if I lost. I am not new to losing elections. I have lost ten times since 1999. It was on that principle I wanted to contest.
“I hereby withdraw my candidature in the interest of the party and respect for the president and leaders in the region. This kind of mistake should not repeat itself in a democratic party like ours.”
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