THE nationwide senatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) churned out a mixed grill of shocking and expected results.
Senate President David Mark, who is vying for the Benue South position for the fifth time, led a crop of incumbent senators who were handed return tickets.
Others include Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Senators Joshua Dariye, Enyinnaya Abaribe, James Manager, Zaynab Kure, Smart Adeyemi and Emmanuel Paulker.
However, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), who aspired to return to the Senate for the fourth consecutive time to represent Cross River Central, topped the list of senators who were denied return tickets. In this category are Senators Uche Chukwumerije (Abia), Nenadi Usman (Kaduna South), Odion Ugbesia (Edo) and Margery Okadigbo (Anambra North.)
On a day that multiple candidates emerged in Anambra, Ondo and Bayelsa some serving governors were also given the green light to try their political luck in the Senate. In this list are Governors Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Theodore Orji (Abia) and Muázu Babangida Aliyu (Niger).
Chairman PDP Governors' Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State briefing State Houyse Correspondents on the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the aggreived PDP Governors at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
Chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State briefing State Houyse Correspondents on the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the aggreived PDP Governors at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
Fresh faces that were handed tickets include Bisola Sodipo-Clark, wife of Ijaw Leader and Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark; serving House of Representatives member, Uche Ekwunife; former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah; Buruji Kashamu and Ben Murray-Bruce.
Benue South: Mark returns unopposed
Senate President Mark polled 384 votes to emerge winner of the Benue South Senatorial primaries. His only challenger, Chief Mike Onoja, withdrew from the race shortly before the commencement of voting citing, “national interest and unity of the Idoma nation” as part of his reasons.
In his acceptance speech, Senator Mark praised Onoja for stepping down even as he dedicated the mandate to Idoma people.
He said he was humbled by the overwhelming endorsement by his constituents and pledged that, “whatever makes for the peace, unity and overall development of Idoma nation would be my guiding principle.”
Dariye wins in Plateau Central
Former Governor of Plateau State and incumbent Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial zone, Joshua Dariye was chosen as the PDP candidate of the zone.
Dariye, who got the ticket for his first tenure on the platform of the Labour Party sought to return to the PDP to recontest the seat but was initially rebuffed by the state chapter of the party even when the National Secretariat of the Party gave him a waiver.
He defeated Nde Alexander Molwus, incumbent House of Representatives member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam, Emmanuel Go’ar.
Source: Vanguard
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