PDP guber: Ugwuanyi, Umahi, Wike, Ayade wi

Yesterday, the nation literally stood still as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its gubernatorial primaries across the nation.

Results at press time, which showed few upsets in some states, confirmed that most of the candidates who emerged were the preferred choices of the incumbent PDP governors.

Daily Sun, which monitored the exercise, reports that except for few isolated cases, the primaries across the nation were largely peaceful.

Field reports confirmed that few states started the primaries late due to logistic reasons while many of them finished the exercise at record time.

Enugu

In Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was declared winner in the primary conducted by the five-man electoral panel headed by Asari Asari at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and attended by Governor Sullivan Chime, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and other prominent members of the party, including the state Deputy Governor, Rev Ralph Nwoye, former Senate president, Ken Nnamani, Senator Gil Nnaji and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Eugene Odo.

Others, who were at the venue were former governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, former deputy governor, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, state PDP Chairman, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, his Deputy, Elder David Aja and former state PDP chairman, Chief Vita Abba. The rest among others were former Aviation Minister, Mrs Fidelis Njeze and PDP BoT member, Amb (Mrs) Justina Eze.

Ugwuanyi overwhelmingly defeated other aspirants, including Senator  Ayogu  Eze, Sam Onyishi, Eugene Odo, Onyeke Onyeke, Chief Onwuegbu and Chief Onuh.

Before the start of the primary election, it was announced that Onwuegbu and Onuh had withdrawn the previous day to pave way for Ugwuanyi.  Eze and Onyishi failed to come to the stadium for the primary, leaving only Odo and Ugwuanyi as the only aspirants present for the election.

Daily Sun reports that as early as 8a.m, the 1, 008 delegates from the 17 local government areas of the state had gathered at the Okpara Square for accreditation, from where they were taken to the stadium in 17 buses.

Out of the total accredited votes of 983, Ugwuanyi polled 933 while Eugene Odo got 26 with 18 voided. Total votes cast were 963.

However, Daily Sun learnt that embattled Senator Eze with his supporters held another primary election in Filbon Hotel, New Haven, where he was declared winner.

Rivers State

In the oil-rich state, the immediate past Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, clinched the PDP ticket to contest the governorship position in next year’s general elections.
Wike emerged winner in the primaries conducted at Oroworukwu Primary School, Nkpolu, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area amid tight security.
The former minister scored 1,083 votes out of the 1,108 votes cast.

Out of the 24 aspirants cleared for the contest, only five, which included the former minister, participated.
Delegates were drawn from the 319 wards of the 23 local government areas of the state, totaling 1,108 persons. The former minister won in all the 23 local government areas..

Ebonyi

In Ebonyi State, there was an upset as the Deputy Governor, Dave Umahi emerged as the party’s candidate by beating six other aspirants including Paul Okorie, Aja Nwachukwu, Hycinth Ikpo, Paulinus Nwagu, Michael Udumanta and Offia Nwali.

The chairman of the electoral panel, who is also the governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, announced that Umahi scored 541 votes to emerge the winner.

Kaduna

In Kaduna, Governor Mukhtar Yero beat his opponent, Senator Haruna Aziz, polling 970 votes. Aziz had only one vote. The election took place at the Umar Musa Yar’Adua hall of the Murtala Square and it was reported to be peaceful and orderly.

Abia

In Abia, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu emerged as the candidate, defeating seven others including the immediate past Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu and an oil magnate, Uche Ogar.

The election committee chairman, Dr. Angela Mba and three others conducted the exercise, which took place at Umuahia township stadium. Ikepazu got 487 votes; Ogar scored 103 votes while Wogu had 33 votes.

Akwa Ibom

In the oil-rich state, the immediate Secretary to the State Government, Udom Emmanuel sang victory songs as he emerged the winner of the primaries conducted at the Akwa Ibom stadium. Udom scored 1,201 votes, beating the likes of Larry Esin and Helen Esuene.

Niger

Umar Nasko, the immediate past Chief of Staff to the Niger State government emerged the winner of the primaries. He polled 908 votes, defeating Hannafi Sudan who scored 57 votes, while Musa Ibeto came third with 34 votes.

Ogun

In Ogun, it was a different ball game as the leadership of the PDP cancelled the primaries where Gboyega Isiaka was declared the winner. In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa metuh, he said the PDP did not authorize the primaries and as such, it was declared null and void.

Oyo

In Oyo, former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin emerged the PDP candidate in the exercise which was boycotted by three frontline aspirants including Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, an oil magnate, Mr Seyi Makinde and Mr Femi Babalola.

The results announced by chairman of the Electoral Committee, Senator Mohammed Abba Aji showed that Folarin polled 167 votes out of 198 votes cast.

Jigawa

Chief of Staff to governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, emerged as the standard-bearer of the party in the state.

Alhaji Kaulaha Aliyu, who presided over the primary said the total number of accredited votes was 1,126, and Ringim scored 1,120 votes, while Abba Anas had no votes. Six votes were declared invalid.

Cross River

In Cross River, Senator Ben Ayade emerged the governorship candidate. He polled 752 out of the 782 votes cast. His opponents, Joe Agi scored 11 votes, Jedy Agba scored five votes, while Rev Francis Eworo scored 5 votes.

Adamawa

Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu emerged winner of the primary. Ribadu polled 688 votes.

However, the exercise was boycotted by other aspirants and a parallel primary was conducted in Yola, the Adamawa capital with Ahmed Modibo, Awal Tukur, Aliyu Kama and the state governor, Bala Ngilari, actively involved.

Delta

 In the oil-rich state, a major upset was recorded as Senator Ifeanyi Okowa won the ticket after polling 406 votes to defeat his closest rival, David Edevbie who polled 299. Former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Victor Ochei came third with 185 votes.

Nasarawa

Dr. Yusif Agabi won Nasarawa Sate with 214 votes, while Maku polled 160 votes, followed by Aliyu Akwe who got 129 votes .

Niger

Umar Nasko won.

Imo

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha scored 346, defeating Ifeanyi Ararume and Ikedi Ohakim who scored 336 and 213 votes respectively