 Other contenders were former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar (Adamawa State) , Ibrahim Dankwabo (Yobe State) same north eastern province as Lamido.This was a major challenge for Lamido because delegate votes from the region would be split among the candidates from here.Ahead of the party's primary, Atiku Abubakar asked Lamido to withdraw from the race and support him but Lamido refused saying he is a senior to Atiku.