PDP Picks GovernorshipCcandidates Nationwide – LIVE UPDATES The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is today conducting its primary elections nationwide to elect governorship candidates that would fly its flag in the February 2015 elections. As usual, PREMIUMT TIMES correspondents have been dispatched to the various election centres across Nigeria to bring you live updates of the primaries. Based on current permutations, the contest is expected to be fierce in Rivers, Lagos, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ogun, Taraba, Imo, Kaduna and Akwa Ibom States because of the political gladiators angling to pick the party’s tickets in the states. However, primaries will not hold in Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Anambra, Bayelsa and Kogi states because there will be no election in those states in 2015. The serving governors were elected at different times over the past four years. ==================== 12.34 LAGOS At the venue of the gubernatorial primaries of the Lagos Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ojota. Six aspirants are contesting to fly the partys ticket in next years governorship election in Lagos, but Musiliu Obanikoro and Jimi Agbaje are seen as the major contenders. Over a dozen police patrol vans and police officers, armed with AK 47 rifles, numbering over 100. Journalists and delegates are still barred from the venue until they are told to come in, according to a security guard at the gate. 12.40 OGUN The stage is set for the primaries at the party secretariat located along Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta. Policemen and other security operatives have taken positions at different strategic locations. Police screening those qualified to enter the premises However, there are speculations that the national secretariat of the party has ordered a temporary suspension of the congress. As at 11.20a.m. delegates are yet to arrive the venue. The party chairman, Dayo Bayo, is said to be holding a closed-door meeting with one of the party officials from the headquarters of the party in Abuja. Journalists are as at now at door step of chairmans office to interview him over update on the conflicting report about the congress 12.43 RIVERS Voting has been completed in Rivers, and counting of ballots has started. Former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, seems to be ahead of the other contenders. 12.51 KEBBI Accreditation of delegates has commenced. The exercise commenced at about 10:11 a.m at the Haliru Abdu Stadium, opposite Cabinet Office in Birnin Kebbi. The exercise is peaceful so far, with delegates and officials conducting themselves in an orderly manner. Twelve aspirants are expected to contest in the primaries. 12.55 OGUN The Chairman of the PDP in Ogun State, Dayo Bayo has just ended a closed-door meeting with one of the electoral committee member, Yakubu Abdullahi. Mr. Abdullahi later left the secretariat although he assured the chairman he would get back to him on phone. Mr. Bayo prevented journalists from gaining access to Mr. Abdullahi for interview. In an interview with journalists, the chairman said he had no instruction to halt the congress. But it is clear there is confusion of some sorts. 12.58 Armed police officers are still blocking the venue of the Lagos PDP primaries. Delegates and journalists are still outside. And more police patrol vans and police officers are arriving. Lagos_PDP_primary 13.03 OGUN Delegates screening commences 12.43 p.m: Former Deputy Governor, Salmot Badru, walked into the venue alongside Iyabo Apampa, a notable women leader of the party. 12.43 p.m: One of the governorship aspirants Kayode Amusan, walked in, accompanied by three armed mobile policemen. 12.46 p.m: Adijat Olaleye, member of Ogun State House of Assembly walks in. 12.51pm: Another governorship aspirant,Gboyega Isiaka, walks in with police escort. 13.09 Rivers Nyesom Wike wins Rivers Former Minister of state for Education, Nyesom Wike, has emerged as the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers state. He scored 1083 votes out of a total of 1108 delegates votes. “My victory is victory for democracy,” he said. I will reclaim the stolen mandate of the PDP and recover what is rightly ours in rivers state. The era of rascality and impunity has caused Rivers state dearly. Today, the state enjoys a pariah status.” 13.16 OGUN 1.07 P.M: Buruji Kashamu, controversial moneybag of the South-West PDP, arrives the venue of the primaries, accompanied by about 50 bouncers. 13.26 Akwa-Ibom Voting is expected to commence by 2:00 p.m. in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital city. Although there are over 20 aspirants under the ruling PDP, immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Udom Emmanuel, is widely expected to clinch the ticket. He has the blessings of governor, Goodwill Akpabio. 13.32 Rivers Controversy trails Rivers State PDP primaries as 17 out of the 24 aspirants cleared to contest the election boycotted the event held in Community Secondary School, Nkpolu in Port Harcourt. Only seven of the aspirants attended. 13.33 Nasarawa The primaries in Nasarawa state is taking place at the auditorium of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa. Delegates are being accredited at the institutions Guest House and would be moved to the venue afterwards. The state chairman of the party, Yunana Iliya, arrived the venue at about 12.pm and inspected facilities. Labaran Maku, former minister of Information, came to venue about 1.28pm in company with well armed security operatives and exchanged pleasantries with people around. Nine aspirants are contesting namely: Aliyu Akwe Doma, Labaran Maku, Musa Husseini, Jibrin Yakubu, Solomon Ewuga, Chris Mamman, Yusuf Agabi, Damishi Luka, and Mike Abdul. 13.36 Kebbi Accreditation of delegate for the Kebbi State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries has commenced. The exercise commenced at about 10:11am at the Haliru Abdu Stadium opposite Cabinet office Saturday in Birnin Kebbi. The exercise commenced in a peaceful atmosphere with delegates and officials conducting themselves in an orderly manner. 12 aspirants are expected to contest in the primaries. Meanwhile, the primary election in the Kebbi Central Senatorial District is still inconclusive with the emergence of Abubakar Gari-Malam withdrawing from the governorship race to join the Senatorial election. Buhari Halidu Jega was expected to emerge unopposed following the earlier withdrawal of Sen Adamu Aliero. 13.43 NASARAWA The primaries in Nasarawa state is taking place at the auditorium of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa. The state chairman of the party, Yunana Iliya, arrived the venue at noon to inspect facilities. Labaran Maku, former minister of Information, arrived the venue at 1:28 p.m. in company of well armed security operatives. Nine aspirants are contesting the ticket: Aliyu Akwe Doma, Labaran Maku, Musa Husseini, Jibrin Yakubu, Solomon Ewuga, Chris Mamman, Yusuf Agabi, Damishi Luka, and Mike Abdul. 13.45 Imo The primary in Imo is taking place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. Accreditation of delegates is ongoing. Already, delegates from seven out of the 27 local government areas of the state have been accredited. The stadium is almost filled to capacity. Security operatives have taken over the gates to the stadium and are frisking those going inside. 13.51 Plateau Journalists barred from Plateau PDP governorship primaries Many journalists could not gain entrance to the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos, Plateau State where PDP governorship primary election will hold. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that only 20 pieces of press tags were handed over to the officials of the Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists even though there are about 100 reporters from eight chapels covering the state. Armed police officers deployed to the stadium to provide security for the exercise are chasing away journalists without press tags. The security personnel explained that they were given instruction not to allow journalists without the tag into the venue. Journalists with the National Identity Card of the NUJ and those of individual media organisations were turned away by the police. The acting chairman of the PDP in Plateau State, Raymond Dabo, could not be reached for comments as he did not pick a call made by PREMIUM TIMES reporter, seeking to know why the press tag could not be given to all the reporters. There is tight security in and around the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos where the primary election is holding. Business places within the stadium have been shut while all streets linking the area were barricaded since Sunday evening. Meanwhile, as at 1:00 p.m. the exercise was yet to commence. No single delegate can be sighted at the venue now. Only the security personnel can be sighted. 14.10 Plateau Plateau State has a total of 826 delegates for primaries. Those jostling for the ticket include the incumbent Deputy Governor, Ignatius Longjan; the three serving senators, Gyang Pwajok, and Victor Lar, Sunny Tyoden; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, John Clark; the immediate past Speaker of Plateau state House of Assembly, Hezekiah Jimka; a retired Commissioner of Police, Nandom Pyennap; a serving House of Assembly member, John Alkali; an architect, Haruna Dabin; and the immediate past PDP chairman in the state, Third Republic Governor of the state, Fidelis Tapguz. Others are Godfrey Miri, a retired state Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Jimmy Cheto, Kemi Nshe, a serving Council chairman of Shendam, Jonathan Sheni, a retired civil servant, Rufus Bature, a pastor, Jonah Wuyep, former Chief of Air staff, Joseph Golwa, Bitrus Nabasu, Longmas Wapmuk, the immediate past Director General Industrial Training Fund ITF. One of the aspirants and a former senator, Cosmos Niagwan died a week before the final screening of governorship aspirants. 14.30 Akwa-Ibom Voting is about to commence in Akwa Ibom primaries, holding at the International Stadium. The venue is secured by about 300 security officers. Over 1,100 delegate from the 31 LGAs of the state are waiting to vote. The delegates were acrredited without hitches. Delegates are already seated waiting to votes. The state governor, Godswill Akpabio, has arrived the venue. 14.34 BAUCHI The PDP gubernatorial primary in Bauchi State is yet to commence. There are few party officials inside the Multipurpose Hall, Wunti, venue of the event. Security personnel are all over the place. The aspirants include a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yahyale Ahmed, former Minister of State for Health, Ali Pate, Auwal Jatau, Senator Adamu Gumba, Alhaji Bappa Azare and Senator Babayo Gamawa. There are indications the former SSG to Bauchi State, Aminu Hammayo has withdrawn from the race. 14.37 LAGOS As at 1.30 p.m., still nothing in Lagos. Armed police officers are still blocking the entry to the venue. In fact, their duty has been bolstered by the arrival of two police dogs. The crowd outside the venue has increased to hundreds of delegates, party supporters, and area boys. No aspirant has arrived yet. But a Black Maria is here. 14.39 LAGOS Gun shots and tear gas by the police. 14.40 Bode George and his wife, accompanied by about half a dozen police escort vehicles, have just arrived. The gunshots and tear gas canisters fired by the police have stopped. But journalists, who had huddled by the gate during the police shootings, remain locked outside the venue. 14.48 Kaduna In Kaduna State, the Chairman of the Electoral Panel, Steve Oru, has addressed the delegates and journalists on the rules and procedure for the primary election. The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, the state governor, Mukhtar Yero, and other top members of the PDP members from the state are at the Murtala Square, Kaduna, venue of the elections. Voting has commenced with statutory and ad-hoc delegates from Sanga Local Government Area of the state. Among the contestants are Mr. Yero, former senator, Haruna Aziz, Hassan Hyat, Lawal Yakawada and John Ajeye, a retired Air Commander have all stepped down for the governor. Unconfirmed reports say Messrs. Hyat, Yakawada and Ajeye stepped down for Mr. Yero following the vice presidents intervention at a meeting held last night. Meanwhile, the governor has earlier declared today a work-free day to enable citizens who have not collected their Permanent Voters Card, PVC, to do so. 15.06 Plateau As at 2:30 p.m., no delegate or party officials has arrived Rwang Pam Township Stadium, venue of the PDP governorship primaries holding in Plateau state. A musician hired to perform at the event is currently entertaining the security personnel and a few journalists who could gain entrance to the venue. Some journalists have left the venue because the exercise is yet to commence. Meanwhile, it was gathered that delegates of the PDP governorship primaries are confined to an undisclosed hotel within Jos. Some of the delegates cannot be reached on their mobile phones. 15.35 Nasarawa The Nasarawa State PDP gubernatorial primary election has been moved from the auditorium of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, to the institution’s Guest House where the accreditation is going on. The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mark Neto, said that the change in venue was effected to forestall the disruption of the exercise by the students of the institution. 15.36 Akwa-Ibom Voting has commenced in Akwa Ibom State with delegates from Abak Local Government Area taking their turns. Delegates are filling out in queues to cast their vote. Delegates from some other Councils are also voting now. Some of them that are breaching the process have been asked to take their seats. The process is going on smoothly. 15.38 Sokoto In Sokoto, accreditation of delegates has just begun at the Giginya Memorial Stadium. Those in contention for the PDP governorship ticket in the state are the incumbent Deputy Governor, Mukthar Shagari, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco and former senator, Abdallah Wali, former Minister of Sports, Yusuf Suleiman, and a former senator, Abubakar Gada. 15.41 Nasarawa An aspirant in Nasarawa State and serving senator, Solomon Ewuga, has complained that a woman who was not as delegate was allowed to come into the venue of the primary election. The woman whose name is not known has been walked out of the venue by the police. 15.44 Ogun PDP NWC Cancels Ogun Governorship Primaries A press release from the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party is claiming the Ogun governorship primaries have been cancelled. The release is published below. The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cancelled the conduct of the Governorship Primary election in Ogun state. For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC hereby states that it did not authorise any governorship primary in Ogun state. Consequently, any such exercise held in Ogun state is hereby declared null and void and of no effect. A new date will be communicated for the primaries. Signed: Olisa Metuh National Publicity Secretary. PREMIUM TIMES DECEMBER 8, 2014
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:11:31 +0000
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