Louis Téyi Lawson-Gallus has withdrawn his candidacy for the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) presidency in the 9 January election.
In a letter to the media Wednesday, Lawson-Gallus said he would instead vie again for the post of executive board adviser.
The retired senior banker and former FTF treasurer (1998 to 2002) said his decision was based on the "multiple candidacies", which, he said, could complicate the voters' choice.
With his withdrawal, candidates in the race are incumbent president Colonel Rock Gnassingbé; Messan Agbéyomé Kodjo, former Youth and Sports minister, former parliament speaker and ex-Prime Minister (2000-2002); Tata Adaglo Avlessi, businessman, manager of premier league side USM, and Auguste Sagbo, businessman, manager of Lome Agaza omnisports and former FTF first vice-president (1994-1998).
An Independent Electoral Commission set up by FIFA and CAF and chaired by CAF's first vice-president, Togolese Séyi Mèmène, will conduct the FTF election.