More governorship, senatorial candidates emerge

Former Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Chief Francis Inegbeneki ,on Monday in Ubiaja won the All Progressives Congress primaries for the Edo Central Senatorial District seat for the general elections in 2015.
Inegbeneki polled 852 votes to beat Joe Okojie (335 votes) and Theophilus Okoh (271 votes).
Malam Aminu Ringim, former Chief of staff to Governor Sule Lamido, was on Monday in Dutse elected unopposed as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Jigawa State.
Alhaji Abba Anas and Alhaji Aminu Kani stepped down before commencement of the election.
The aspirants said they withdrew from the race for the sake of unity of the party.
The Returning Officer, Alhaji Kaulaha Aliyu, said Ringim scored 1,120 votes out of 1,126 votes recorded.
Aliyu explained that six votes were invalid and commended the delegates and supporters of the party for the peaceful conduct of the polls.
In his acceptance speech, Ringim thanked the party for the confidence reposed in him and pledged not to supporters and people of the state down.
Senator Teslim Folarin won the PDP primaries in Oyo State on Monday at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, with 167 votes.
The election was conducted by the Electoral Committee under the leadership of Senator Abba Aji.
Speaking after his victory, Folarin promised to deliver the state to PDP in 2015.
“I accept my nomination with deepest sense of gratitude and promise to leave no stone unturned in mobilising our supporters to defend the interest of people of Oyo State,” he said.
Folarin called on his co-constants to approach the forthcoming general elections in unity.
Hazim Gbolarumi scored 12 votes; former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala got two votes; Prof. Soji Adejumo, four votes; and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, three votes.
This was in spite of the fact that Alao-Akala, Kehinde Olaosebikan, Seyi Makinde, Femi Babalola and Babalola Owolabi had pulled out of the race.
Senator Benedict Ayade emerged winner of the PDP governorship primaries in Cross River State.
Ayade polled 752 votes, while his closest rival, Joe Agi (SAN), got 11 votes.
Nine votes were declared invalid.
NAN reports that 831 delegates were accredited for the exercise.
Announcing the result in Calabar, Olusola Akanmode, the Returning Officer, said other aspirants, Godwin Agba and Rev. Father Francis Eworo, scored five votes each.
In his reaction, Ayade pledged to continue with the developmental programmes of the present administration of the state.
Some aspirants – Mike Aniah, immediate past Secretary to the Cross River State Government; and Larry Odey, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, had stepped down and pledged their support for Ayade.
Others included Fidelis Ugbo, immediate past Executive Secretary of National Planning Commission, and Legor Idagbor, immediate past Commissioner for Works.
Senator Chris Ngige (APC-Anambra) has again received the nod of members of APC to re-contest the seat in 2015.
Ngige, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, was the sole contestant.
He polled 1,832 votes out of 1,834 votes.
Two votes were voided.
Ngige expressed joy over the unanimous votes cast for him, saying that it was an affirmation that he would be re-elected in the main contest.
He said: “I feel humbled with the huge support that was given to me by the delegates and the entire party members.
“I want to assure party leaders that we are ready for the battle in 2015 and we will win again.”
NAN reports that the primary was supervised by the party’s National Assembly Primary Committee led by Gideon Sammau and Alhaji Akeem Okedara as Secretary.
Sammau, who declared Ngige winner of the primary, also issued a Certificate of Return to him.
Meanwhile, the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of the state, Afam Ogene, decamped from the All Progressives Grand Alliance to the All Progressives Congress.
Ogene promised to work for the success of APC in the state.
The Ondo Central Senatorial ticket went to Tayo Alasoadura.
NAN reports that Alasoadura won with 806 votes against his closest rival, Ifedayo Abegunde, who had 778 votes while 105 votes were voided.
“I thank the delegates who have chosen me to work for them and I am giving them the assurance that I will do my best,” Alasoadura said.