Politics

Lagos4Lagos convener, ex-VC, Abacha’s son… see winners of PDP guber tickets

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2022 9:21 am

BodexNG

Olajide Adediran, lead visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, has clinched the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state.

The PDP governorship primaries were held in most states on Wednesday.

Declaring the result of the Lagos primary, Emmanuel Ogidi, the returning officer, said Adediran — better known as Jandor — scored 679 votes to defeat David Vaughan, who polled 20 votes.

Ogidi said 775 ad hoc delegates were scheduled to participate in the primary, but 709 were accredited.

“The total number of accredited voters is 709, and Olajide Adediran got 679 votes, David Kolawole Vaughan had 20, and we had 10 voided votes,” he said.

“Having satisfied all the requirements in our guidelines, I want to announce Dr Olajide Adediran as our candidate after scoring the highest votes of 679.

“He is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

Four contestants — including Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, Adedeji Doherty, Ade Dosunmu and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour — withdrew from the race before the commencement of the exercise.

The Lagos4Lagos movement — a group comprised mainly of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters — was officially welcomed to the PDP in January 2022.

FORMER ABSU VC WINS IN ABIA

Uche Ikonne, the former vice-chancellor of the Abia State University (ABSU), won the PDP primary in the state.

He polled 468 votes to defeat five other contestants.

Lucky Igbokwe came a distant second with 45 votes, while the only female contestant, Ngozi Merenge, scored five votes.

Ude Oko-Chukwu, Abia deputy governor; as well as Enyinnaya Abaribe and Emma Nwaka – both senators — had earlier announced their withdrawal from the race.

SULE LAMIDO’S SON WINS

Mustafa Lamido, son of Sule Lamido, former Jigawa governor, was elected as the state’s PDP governorship candidate.

Isah Ahmed, the returning officer, said Mustafa scored 829 out of the 832 votes cast during the primary, while Saleh Shehu had no vote.

Adamu Bashir, one of the aspirants, announced his withdrawal a few hours before the commencement of the primary.

BARDE SECURES TICKET FOR GOMBE

In Gombe state, Mike Oghiadomhe, the returning officer, declared Jibrin Barde as the winner of the governorship primary.

Oghiadomhe said Barde got 160 votes to defeat five other aspirants — Jamil Gwamna (119 votes), Ali Gombe (17), Adamu Suleiman (18), Gimba Ya’u (one), and Babayo Ardo (13).

Barde, who was an aspirant in the 2019 governorship primary, decamped to the PDP in February 2021.

FORMER LAWMAKER WINS NASARAWA TICKET

David Ombugadu, a former member of the house of representatives, won the gubernatorial ticket of the PDP in Nasarawa state.

Bature Musa, chairman of the party’s electoral committee in the state, said Ombugadu polled 247 votes to defeat Nuhu Angbazo, who scored 203 votes.

“Having secured a total of 247, I thereby declare honourable David Ombugadu the winner of the Nasarawa state governorship primary election,” he said.

JAJARI WINS IN BORNO

Mohammed Jajari was elected as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Borno state.

He polled 487 votes to defeat Mohammed Imam, who secured 362 votes.

Announcing the results, Abdulrahman Bobboi, chairman of the governorship primary committee for Borno, said a total of 849 votes were cast.

EXERCISE POSTPONED IN NIGER

Meanwhile, in Niger state, the PDP primary was postponed till Thursday following protests by four of the five aspirants.

The aspirants — Sani Kutigi, Sidi Abdul, Abdulrahman Gimba and Abubakar Jankara — insisted that delegates must identify themselves properly before they could be accredited.

A total of 800 delegates are expected to elect the party’s governorship candidate.

Jankara, who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved aspirants, said the decision was conveyed to Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, chairman of the electoral panel and deputy governor of Bayelsa.

The aspirants insisted that delegates must present a means of identification, which should be a national driver’s licence, a national identity card or an international passport.

Efforts by Ewhrudjakpo to get the aspirants to agree that the delegates be identified by the chairpersons of their respective local governments failed.

The Bayelsa deputy governor later informed journalists that he had directed the delegates to get means of identification.

MOHAMMED ABACHA WINS IN KANO

Mohammed Abacha, son of late head of state Sani Abacha, won the parallel primary election in Kano.

Amina Garba, the returning officer, declared Abacha the winner after polling 736 votes to defeat Jafar Sani-Bello, who scored 710 votes.

Meanwhile, another parallel primary is ongoing at the Sani Abacha Youth Centre.

ISAH ASHIRU CLINCHES KADUNA

Isah Ashiru has again picked the PDP governorship ticket for Kaduna state.

A former state and federal lawmaker, Ashiru was the party’s candidate in 2019.

He polled 414 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Sani Sidi, a former director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who scored 260 votes.

Ramalan Yero, a former governor of the state, scored 28 votes, Sani Abbas had 15, Haruna Saeed, a former accountant-general in the state, got 11 while Senator Shehu Sani had two votes.

UDOM’S ANOINTED CANDIDATE WINS AKWA IBOM

Umo Eno, the preferred candidate of Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, won the governorship ticket in the state.

Philip Shuaibu, deputy governor of Edo state and chairman of the primary election committee, declared Eno the winner of the exercise which was held at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium.

Eno secured 993 votes, while a total of 1,018 delegates participated in the election.

He defeated his closest challengers — Onofiok Luke, a member of the house of representatives, who got two votes; and Bassey Albert, a member of the senate, who polled only one vote.

FINTIRI CLINCHES ADAMAWA TICKET

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, won the governorship primary in the state, boosting his re-election bid.

Fintiri secured the party’s ticket after polling 663 votes.

Six hundred and sixty-eight delegates participated in the election held in Yola, the capital of the state.

OKOWA’S MAN BEATS IBORI’S ALLY IN DELTA

Sheriff Oborevwori, speaker of the Delta house of assembly, won the governorship primary in the state.

Oborevwori polled 590 votes to beat his closest rival, David Edevbie, a commissioner for finance during the James Ibori administration, who polled 113 votes.

Ibori, a former governor, is said to be backing Edevbie, while Oborevwori is the preferred candidate of Ifeanyi Okowa, the incumbent governor.

Other governorship hopefuls and their vote counts include James Manager (83), Kingsley Otuaro, Delta deputy governor (9), Peter Mrakpor, former attorney-general (9), Fred Majemite (six), Ejaife Odebala (three), Abel Esievo (two), Braduce Angozi (two), Bright Onajefe-Gift (three), Chris Iyowaye (0), Lucky Idike (one), and Ikie Agbarianovwe (0).

MAKINDE GETS TICKET TO STAND FOR RE-ELECTION

Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, was declared the winner of the PDP primary, after scoring 1,040 votes to defeat Hazeem Gbolarumi, who was his only opponent in the race.

The election was held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

According to NAN, Mutiu Agboke, resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Oyo, and Abiodun Onigate-Amosun, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) administrative secretary, witnessed the primary.

Announcing the results, Abdullahi MaiBasira, secretary of the PDP electoral committee, said 1,048 delegates were accredited to vote.

BENUE SPEAKER DEFEATS DEPUTY GOVERNOR

Titus Uba, speaker of the Benue house of assembly, clinched the governorship ticket in an emphatic manner.

Uba polled 731 votes to defeat his closest rival, Benson Abounu, Benue deputy governor, who scored 81 votes.

The speaker won 21 out of the 23 LGAs in the state.

A total of 851 delegates voted in the governorship primary.

EX-ATIKU CAMPAIGN SPOKESMAN WINS OGUN PARALLEL PRIMARY

Segun Sowunmi, the former spokesman of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, won the parallel primary of the PDP in Ogun.

Sowunmi polled 554 votes to defeat his closest rival, Jimi Lawal, who scored 30 votes, while Ladi Adebutu polled 15 votes.

Abayomi Daniel, chairman of the electoral committee, said 778 delegates were accredited, 702 votes were ratified while three votes were voided.

The election was monitored by officials of INEC and members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC).

Politics

Ex-presidential aspirant, Cosmos Ndukwe resigns from PDP

Published

21 hours ago

April 29, 2024 11:49 am

BodexNG

One of the 2023 presidential aspirants of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, has resigned his membership of the PDP.

This is contained in a letter written by the former Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, to the Chairman of his Item C Ward in Bende Local Government Area, and copied to the State Chairman of the party, Hon. Asiforo Okere; and the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, respectively.

The former Chief of Staff to the Governor and Commissioner for Works under ex-Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, cited “personal reasons, current commitments and aspirations” for his decision to quit the PDP.

He commended the party for giving him the platform to come to political limelight, and wished it success in the state.

The letter posted on his Facebook page on Monday morning read, “I hope this letter finds you well. It is with a heavy heart that I compose this correspondence to tender my resignation as a member and stakeholder in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Abia State, effective immediately.

“My decision to resign as a member within the party stems from personal reasons and reflections on my current commitments and aspirations.

“After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that potting out of PDP is the best course of action for me at this time.

“I am immensely grateful for the opportunities that the PDP has afforded me during my tenure as a Councillor, Deputy Chairman Local Government, Chief of Staff to Executive Governor of Abia State, Deputy Speaker Abia 6th House of Assembly and Presidential Aspirant PDP 2023.

“Serving within the party has been a privilege, and I have valued the relationships I have built with fellow members, as well as the chance to contribute to the party’s objectives and ideals.

” I want to express my appreciation to you, the Ward Executive Committee, and all members of the PDP Abia State for the support and camaraderie extended to me throughout my association with the party.

“While I may be stepping away from my formal role, I remain committed to the principles of democracy and the progress of our great state Abia.

“Please consider this letter as my formal resignation from all duties and responsibilities associated with my position as a member and stakeholder in the PDP Abia State.

“I wish the PDP Abia State continued success in all its endeavors, and I extend my best wishes for the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and experiences.”

The former Deputy Speaker had in an introductory post to the letter written:

“Good morning friends and well wishers. In life, we all have the past. We all made choices that maybe, weren’t the best ones. None of us is completely a saint,
but we all get a fresh start some day.

“Eccl 3:1-5 summary is on time for everything. To me, this is time to leave PDP family. I am potting out for good, new destination to be announced soon.

“My letter has started its journey to the ward chairman, LG chairman, State Chairman and Ag National chairman”.

The PDP has been hit by the wind of resignation following the exit of former Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and over 20 key members of the party in Imo State including a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), and zonal officers.

Although the supremacy tussle between former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, is believed to be at the centre of crisis rocking the PDP, funding by Vanguard show that Ndukwe may be on his way to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to assist his kinsman, and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

Politics

Ihedioha resigns from PDP, says party no longer a credible opposition

Published

7 days ago

April 23, 2024 2:49 pm

BodexNG

Emeka Ihedioha, a former governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo, has resigned from the party.

Ihedioha conveyed his resignation from the party in a letter dated April 23 and addressed to the PDP chairman of Mbutu ward, Aboh Mbaise LGA of Imo; and the national chairman.

Ihedioha said the party has failed to offer “credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

The politician said he has contributed his quota to the “development and transformation” of the PDP since 1998.

“All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power.

“I have had the benefit of serving and benefitting from the party at various levels. Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs.

“Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately.”

Ihedioha said while the decision to leave the party was “difficult to take”, he believes that it is “the right one”.

He said despite his resignation, he will always be available to offer services “towards the deepening of democracy and good governance” in Nigeria.

Ihedioha was elected governor of Imo in March 2019 on the PDP platform.

Politics

Lucky Aiyedatiwa wins Ondo APC governorship primary election

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024 8:16 am

BodexNG

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo state, has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket for the November 16 election.

Usman Ododo, Kogi state governor and chairman of the election organising committee, declared Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the party’s primary in the early hours of Monday.

Ododo said Aiyedatiwa secured 48,569 votes to defeat his closest challengers — Mayowa Akinfolarin who had 15,343 votes and Olusola Oke who polled 14,915 votes.

Aiyedatiwa won in 16 of the 18 LGAs in the state while Oke won in Ilaje local government area.

The election was cancelled in Ifedore LGA due to issues of violence.

CONTROVERSIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

The APC primary election, which started on Saturday, was marred by allegations of irregularities while there were demands for cancellation by the leading contenders.

Several aspirants alleged that no election took place in most parts of the state.

TheCable reporters who monitored the election in Akure failed to witness voting in several wards in the Ondo state capital.

Olusola Oke, Olugbenga Edema, Wale Akinterinwa, Dayo Faduyile and Jimi Odimayo are among the governorship hopefuls who kicked against the conduct of the exercise.

Folakemi Omogoroye, a female governorship hopeful, described the election as a “complete rape of democracy”.

“I am not going to accept it, and now, I am calling for cancellation and if this is not done, maybe we’ll meet in the court,” Omogoroye said.

Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding the election, the Kogi state governor insisted that the process was transparent.

The primary election took place across 203 wards in the 18 LGAs of the state.

The election was rescheduled in all 13 wards of Okitipupa LGA over the late arrival of materials. The rescheduled election, held on Sunday, recorded a low turnout of voters in some wards.

Members of the party staged a protest in Akure on Sunday evening over the conduct of the governorship election.

Adeniran Oyebade, director-general for Olusola Oke campaign organisation in Ondo central, described the primary as “daylight robbery”.

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others