As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) holds primary elections across the country, results have started trickling in.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the PDP has so far held primaries for House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senatorial primaries across the country.
Banky W wins PDP House of Reps primaries in Lagos
Mr Olubankole Wellington (Banky W) a Nigerian celebrity was on Monday, declared winner of the PDP primaries for Eti-Osa constituency House of Representatives ticket for the 2023 general elections.
Banky W had a landslide victory, polling 28 out of 31 votes cast by delegates at the primaries.
The delegates consisted of 31 adhoc members of the PDP and one national delegate.
Banky W contested against a legal practitioner, Mr Sam Aiboni who polled three votes.
The Returning Officer, Mr Ayodele Kazeem, who declared the results, described the process as peaceful and transparent.
Banky W said the election was a free and fair one, he stated that he had won the election by the grace of God and the will of the people.
He expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunity to represent it and said that he was very thankful to the people as well.
“I am overwhelmed by the support of my constituency, the people, the ward chairmen, the leaders and the chieftains of the party.
“I feel the support even from the grassroot, honestly, I can’t be more happy than I am now,” he said.
Banky added that he had a message, a vision and a mandate do things better in the constituency and that he would achieve them through transparency, accountability and service.
“The real work begins now, the primaries is just the start and thankfully, we have the grace of God with us; we move,” he added.
If Rep. Babajide Obanikoro, son of former minister of state for defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro picks the APC return ticket in its upcoming primaries, he will be slugging it out with Banky W for the seat.
Lagos Central: Controversy trails emergence of Gomez as PDP candidate
Controversy on Monday, trailed the PDP Lagos Central senatorial primary election and the reported emergence of Mr Wale Gomez as the party’s candidate.
Many ad hoc delegates, leaders and party faithful had gathered at No 67, Adelabu Str. Surulere, the earlier announced venue for the primary all day before they were hinted that the venue had shifted to Obele Odan Community Hall, Fujah Street in Surulere.
Before many of the delegates at the earlier venue would converge at the new venue, the exercise had been conducted and a winner allegedly emerged in person of Gomez.
Also, before a correspondent, who monitored the exercise could get to the new venue, the exercise had been concluded while officials and delegates had dispersed.
Speaking at the new venue, Mr Adegboyega Openiyi, an ad hoc delegate, said that only Gomez showed up at the venue and he was declared the winner by the returning officer.
“Only one aspirant turned up and was declared the winner through voice votes after accreditation of delegates from each local government area,” Openiyi, a delegate from Lagos Island said.
He said the exercise was monitored by security agents and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, Mr Sherrif Adepote, an ad hoc delegate from Lagos Mainland local government area, who rushed in from the earlier venue, decried the development, saying it would further narrow the chances of PDP in the 2023 general elections.
Adepote said: “This kind of game cannot lead us anywhere in PDP, we will remain where we are.
“Initially, we heard that the primary will hold at NAPTIP building and we were waiting there until we heard of the change of venue this evening and before we got here, they said the exercise had been conducted.
“It is shoddy and it is not acceptable. At the end of the day, we must sit down and resolve things,” he said.
Speaking to newsmen, one of the aspirants, Mrs Victoria Oniru expressed shock, describing the exercise as “kangaroo primary”.
“I am not in contact with members of the committee. They gave us a venue for the primaries, we were there only to be told they will no longer use that venue, and when we got here, we were told the primaries had held.
‘”There was no election and the people at the new venue said somebody has won the primaries.
“This is a culture of impunity and ineptitude. Those that conducted the election, where did they come from?.”
She, however, called for cancellation of the exercise, saying that the party leadership should fix another date for a free, fair and credible primaries.
Also speaking, Dr Pearse Adetokunbo, another aspirant in the contest, said that the alleged primary would not stand.
140 aspirants are contesting for the PDP tickets for the 40 seats in the state house of assembly, 85 for the 24 House of Representatives seats, 13 aspirants for the three senatorial districts and six for the governorship.
Six aspirants are contesting for the party’s ticket in the Lagos Central Senatorial District.
The five local government areas making up the Lagos Central Senatorial District are Apapa, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island.
Ex-Ondo Deputy Gov., Ajayi wins PDP ticket for Ondo South Senatorial seat
Mr Agboola Ajayi, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ondo State, has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ondo Southern Senatorial District.
Ajayi defeated Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo(PDP-Ondo South), and a former Deputy Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Iroju Ogundeji, at the party primary held on Monday at Idepe Town Hall, Okitipupa.
Other aspirants were Godday Erewa and Raphael Ademulegun.
Announcing the results, Dr Olasupo Ijabadeni, the Returning Officer, said Ajayi polled 78 votes, Tofowomo got 74 votes, Ogundeji scored 23 votes, while Erewa and Ademulegun garnered 12 votes and 11 votes, respectively.
He said that 199 delegates were accredited out of the 202 delegates with one vote voided.
“As the returning officer of this primary election, I hereby declare Agboola Ajayi as the winner, having scored the highest votes of 78,” he said.
There was tight security at the venue of the election, which was monitored by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The election started late in the evening due to the late arrival of electoral officers and voting materials.
Galadima wins PDP Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone primary election
Mr Umar Galadima has been declared winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone primary election ahead of the general elections in 2023.
According to Ogaza Dennis, Returning Officer of the exercise held in Keffi, Galadima polled 152 votes to defeat Mr Bala Ahmed-Aliyu, who polled 17 votes.
Other contestants included Angama Weibey Maikasuwa, 12 votes, and Dr Avreso Samuel, who got no vote.
He said that a total of 182 delegates were expected for the exercise, but only 181 were accredited to vote while one delegate was absent.
An excited Galadima described the victory as the will of God and appreciated delegates who voted for him.
“It comes to me as a surprise, but I know that with God, everything is possible. So I really appreciate my people, the delegates, my colleagues, my friends and other well wishers,” he said.
He appealed to his co-contestants to work with him toward ensuring victory for the party in the general elections.
I really sympathise with them but I know it is a game of numbers. I appeal to them to come so we work as a team,” he said.
2023: Mustapha wins PDP ticket for Kaduna North Senatorial District
Alhaji Khalid Mustapha has picked the PDP ticket to contest the Kaduna North Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general election.
Prof Banake Sambo, Presiding Officer for the primary election, declared Mustapha as the winner of the primary election with 257 votes.
“It is an affirmation being the sole candidate of the election.
“The exercise satisfied the statutory requirements of the guidelines for the conduct of primary election. I, therefore, return him as the PDP Candidate for Kaduna North Senatorial District,” he said.
257 delegates were from the eight local governments of the Senatorial district.
The hitch-free exercise was observed by representative of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other key stakeholders.
Speaking to newsman shortly after the exercise, Mustapha expressed gratitude to the electorate and urged supporters to team up toward winning the 2023 general election.
PDP primaries: Akobada clinches senatorial ticket for Lagos East
Mr Nicholas Akobada has clinched the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket to contest for the Lagos East Senatorial District seat in 2023.
According to Mr Daniel Ochu-Baiye, Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee/ Returning Officer for the senatorial primary election, Akobada scored 74 votes to defeat his closest rival, Yeye Agnes Adenike-Shobajo, who polled 63 votes.
Announcing the result Tuesday morning at the PDP Secretariat in Somolu, he said that Mr Obadiaru Adebayo, another contestant, scored 16 votes while Princess Saidat Odofin-Fafore polled two votes.
The exercise witnessed some hitches and protests over allegation of fake delegates list, especially when ad hoc delegates from Ikorodu, with about 58 ad hoc delegates, were voting.
The development came after delegates from four out of the five local government areas that made up the senatorial distinct had voted.
Delegates from Somolu, Kosofe, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki had voted before the disruption.
The issues resulted into several protests by delegates from Ikorodu who insisted that names of delegates on the list brought by the electoral committee were not authentic.
After huge noise and drama, the electoral committee declared the election inconclusive, citing security risk, and left the venue, but later came back to announce the result and declared a winner.
The ad hoc delegates had waited since Monday morning for the exercise, but the electoral committee only showed up at 11:50 p.m.
The accreditation and voting started simultaneously at 12:03 a.m. on Tuesday, and ended at 1:40 a.m.
The exercise was conducted under heavy security presence and was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Mr Akanbi Abidakun, who led the INEC team to observe the primary, told NAN that it was orderly and the electoral committee followed due process.
Abidakun, however, advised the party to ensure better logistics in future primary elections, saying that a single electoral committee should not be tasked with conducting primaries in more than one senatorial district.
“The party should look into this and expand the electoral committee for each senatorial district rather than keeping people waiting endlessly. They should improve on this.”
Bagos, Agah win PDP primaries in Plateau
Rep. Musa Bagos (PDP/Jos East/Jos South) and Rep. Musa Agah (PDP/Jos North/Bassa) have picked People’s Democratic Party (PDP) tickets to seek re-election into the National Assembly in next year’s general election.
The serving members picked the tickets at the party’s National Assembly primary election held on Monday.
Alhaji Idi Waziri, the returning officer for Jos East/Jos South Federal Constituency primary, declared Bagos the winner of the election with 34 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Mr Abok Ayuba, a former speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Abok scored 25 votes.
For Jos North/Bassa, Agah, who was elected to the House of Representatives in the Feb. 26 bye-election, defeated seven contestants to emerge PDP candidate for the 2023 polls.
He scored 39 votes to defeat his closest rival, Aminu Zang, who scored 37 votes.
Bagos, in his reaction, dedicated his victory to the entire members of his constituency and thanked the delegates and the people for another opportunity to represent them.
“I thank God Almighty for using great men and women to make this possible.
“I want to appreciate all the contestants for showing the spirit of sportsmanship.
“The victory is for all of us; let’s put all hands on deck to see that the constituency move forward,” he said.
Senatorial Primaries: Adewale emerges PDP candidate for Lagos West
Mr Segun Adewale has picked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest the Lagos West Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general elections.
Adewale defeated Mr Yomi Ogungbe at the primary election held at the Stadplus event centre, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday night.
Mr Daniel Ugo-Unibaiye, the Returning Officer, while announcing the result, said that due process was followed during the primaries.
Ugo-Unibaiye said that Adewale scored 264 votes to emerge the winner, while Ogungbe polled two votes. Two votes were voided.
Speaking to journalists, the winner thanked the delegates for voting for him and pledged to work with members of the party to win the secondary election.
Adewale lauded the conduct of the election and the opportunity to be presented as the PDP flag bearer, urging party members to unite and ensure victory for the PDP during the polls in 2023.
“My first priority is to reconcile with my opponent, Mr Yomi Ogungbe, so that we can be better united and work together as one.
“We must tidy up all the differences within our party before we move ahead to the main elections,” he said.
He also urged the electorate, especially the youths, to get registered, get their Permanent Voter’s Card, and partake in the coming elections.
Adewale said that by so doing, the people would get the new Nigeria they were clamouring for.
356 delegates from the 10 Local Government Areas in the senatorial district, were expected to participate in the exercise.
The areas are Agege, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi, Badagry, Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ojo, Mushin, and Oshodi/Isolo.
However, out of the 10 local government areas, Ojo and Amuwo-Odofin were not represented during the exercise.
Ex-Gov. Dankwambo picks PDP Gombe North Senatorial ticket
Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, former Gombe State Governor, on Monday picked the Gombe North Senatorial seat ticket to contest in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.
Malam Habu Zarma, who is the Returning Officer, said Dankwambo picked the ticket following the withdrawal of the other two contestants, Bayero Nafada, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and Hamma Saleh, a businessman.
The primary election, was conducted at Gombe North Senatorial District, Malam-Sidi Kwami Local Government Area which witnessed large turnout of supporters of all the aspirants.
Dankwambo is seeking to replace Saidu Alkali, the incumbent Senator representing the District.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, Jamilu Gwamna, who is a PDP governorship aspirant, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the poll, describing it as free, fair and credible.
He said that based on the outcome of the elections so far, there were indications that the remaining elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner.
Gombe North Senatorial District consists of five LGAs: Gombe, Kwami, Dukku, Funakaye and Nafada. 144 delegates affirmed the candidature of Ibrahim Dankwambo.
Primaries: Abubakar Aliyu wins PDP ticket for Gombe Central senatorial seat
Abubakar Aliyu, a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been declared winner at the party’s primary election to represent Gombe Central senatorial seat of Gombe State.
The primaries took place in Kumo community, the headquarters of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The Electoral Officer, Haruna Mamuda, declared Aliyu winner at the end of the exercise.
He said Aliyu scored 59 votes to defeat two other candidates: Muhammadu Baba who polled three votes and Sen. Danjuma Goje who scored zero vote.
According to Mamuda, the total votes cast were 66 while four votes were invalid.
The electoral officer said the peaceful nature of the election showed that the PDP in the state was united ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Aliyu, while addressing newsmen, said the primaries showed that the party was united, adding that his victory was for both of them.
He stated that he would work with the other contestant to ensure victory for the PDP.
Asked if senator Danjuma Goje whose name was listed as a contestant was same as Sen. Goje who currently represents Gombe Central under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Garba Gwani, the Zonal Vice Chairman of PDP, Gombe Central confirmed that “it was the same Sen. Goje.”
Gwani confirmed that Goje was a contestant but “he didn’t show up and scored zero vote. He (Sen Goje) has membership with the PDP.”
In Gombe South senatorial primaries, Anthony Siyako scored 59 votes to defeat Binta Bello who polled 57 votes.
Lar wins PDP primary election to return to NASS
Rep. Beni Lar (PDP/Langtang North/Langtang South), has emerged winner of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election held on Sunday to early hours of Monday.
Lar who is a four term member of the House of Representatives picked the ticket to contest for a fifth term in 2023.
Plateau PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr John Akans on Monday in Jos said Lar’s declaration was one of the first House of Representatives primaries concluded in the state.
Akans also said the primaries in Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency was concluded but did not give the name of the winner.
The publicity secretary further said that the House of Assembly primaries conducted earlier in the state was transparent and peaceful.
He said that the exercise was hitch-free in all parts of the state.
According to him, all the aspirants are happy with the transparent manner in which the election was conducted.
“The House of Assembly primaries that started on Sunday ended peacefully in all parts of the state.
“The results have been declared and the people are happy with outcome of the exercise.
“The House of Representatives primaries have been concluded and results declared in some constituencies.
“The exercise still ongoing in some constituencies as I speak to you,” he said.
Primary: Ex-rep emerges PDP senatorial candidate in Nasarawa South
A former member of House of Representatives, Mr Ogoshi Onawo, has clinched the Peoples Democratic party’s ticket for Nasarawa South Senatorial District.
Onawo, a two-time speaker of Nasarawa State House Assembly and two-time member of House of Representatives, scored 88 votes to defeat a former Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, who scored 76 votes.
Announcing the result on Monday in Lafia, the Returning Officer, Mr Torngee Tor-Anyiin, said declared Onawo as the winner of the primary election, having scored the highest votes.
“Out of the total of 164 votes cast, Ogoshi Onawo scored a total of 88 votes, while Mike Omeri scored 76 votes. With this result, Onawo has emerged winner of this contest,” he said, adding that the exercise was transparent.
Speaking with the newsmen after the exercise, Onawo said that he was excited by the result, adding, however, that it was a family affair.
The former lawmaker called on his supporters and well- wishers to see the outcome of the primary as an act of God and rally round him to ensure PDP’s victory in the state during the 2023 general elections.
On his own part, Omeri said that he had accepted the result of the primary election in good faith, promising to work together for the party’s victory in the state, come 2023.
PDP primaries: Ex-minister, Abdullahi clinches senatorial ticket for Kwara Central
Former minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, has been elected as the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for Kwara Central Senatorial district.
Abdullahi was elected through a consensus arrangement and affirmation by delegates at the PDP’s senatorial primary that held at Mariam Event Centre, Ilorin, on Monday.
Mr Hashim Jimoh, a national officer that conducted the primary, announced Abdullahi as the winner, having been returned unopposed.
Similarly, a former senator, Rafiu Ibrahim was elected as the PDP’s flag bearer for Kwara South Senatorial District.
Ibrahim also emerged through affirmation at the primary that was held in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The PDP chairman in Kwara South, Mr Bisi Fakayode, raised up Ibrahim’s hand after the delegates affirmed his election.
In Kwara North, delegates did not agree on consensus, and opted for election to choose the candidate for the senatorial ticket.
Two aspirants, Mr Adamu Bawa from Batonu axis, and Hajia Aisha Ahman-Pategi from Nupe axis, are the contestants.
Reacting to his nomination, Abdullahi thanked the delegates for their trust in him
He promised not to disappoint them if given the mandate to represent the district at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
Primaries: Don’t tamper with approved list, Ebonyi delegates urge PDP national leadership
The national delegates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ebonyi have appealed to the party’s national leadership not to tamper with the court-approved list of the three-man ad hoc delegates of the state, ahead of its primaries.
The delegates from the 13 local government areas of the state made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki on Monday.
Recall that the PDP had fixed its three-man Ward Ad-hoc Delegates Congress on May 24, the state house of Assembly on May 25, and the House of of Representatives and Senate, May 25 and May 27, for gubernatorial primaries.
The delegates had, on May 19, obtained a court order allowing the delegates’ list from the three-man ad-hoc ward congress committee of the party.
Leader of the delegates from Ohaozara local government area, Mr Ogbonnaya Odii, said that the call had become necessary for the party to achieve smooth and peaceful conduct of elections, ahead of 2023.
Odii noted that the approved list by the national leadership of the party contained the authentic delegates.
“The court order has been obtained to make use of the approved list.
“The National Working Committee of our party should obey the court and not tamper with the delegates’ list in the interest of peace among members.
“We also urge the state chairman of the party to obey the court order for peace building in the party. This is to allow peace to reign in Ebonyi during the primaries and the general elections,” Odii said.
Leader of national delegates from Ivo local government area of the state, Mr Emmanuel Uka, urged stakeholders to join hands to strengthen unity within the party.
Uka said that PDP in Ebonyi was united to win all positions during the general elections, urging the party’s national leadership not to tamper with the delegates’ list ahead of its primaries on May 24.
“The leadership of our party should allow people to choose their leaders, come 2023,” Uka stated.