By Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja

Winners and losers yesterday emerged in the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), held across the states of the federation. 

In Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde emerged defeating Hazeem Gbolarumi, who was his only opponent in the primaries held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Announcing the results of the election, the secretary of the PDP Electoral Committee, Alhaji Abdullahi MaiBasira, said that 1,048 delegates were accredited to vote out of a 1,086 delegates.

MaiBasira said Makinde scored 1,040 votes to defeat Gbolarumi, who scored only two votes; adding that six votes were voided.

Gbolarumi, was deputy to former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. 

In Adamawa State, Governor Amadu Umaru Fintiri was returned as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer to contest for a second term in the forthcoming general election in February 2023.

Fintiri who was the only contestant at the primary scored a total of 663 votes out of 668 accredited delegates from the 21 local governments of the state.

The election took place at the Mahmud Ribadu Square where delegates trooped in from across the 21 local government councils of the state.

Declaring the result, Chairman of PDP Adamawa State Governorship Congress Committee, Barrister Gebon Kateps said 668 delegates were accredited while 663 votes is counted to be valid and five were invalid vote.

The election was witnessed by Atiku Abubakar who is the front line presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP among other top government functionaries and party chieftains.

In Benue, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Titus Uba, picked the party’s ticket for the state governorship election in 2023.

The Returning Officer for the primaries, Mr Bode Ojomu said this when he announced the result of the election on Wednesday in Makurdi.

Ojomu said that Uba scored 731 out of the 851 votes at the event, adding that the deputy governor, Benson Abounu placed second with 81 votes, while Prof. Dennis Ityavyar got two votes to take the third position.

Governor  Samuel Ortom, attributed Uba’s victory to God.

“A man cannot get anything unless given to him by God. God has done it and we return all the glory to Him.

“This victory is not Uba’s victory, neither is it mine but it is victory for Benue and PDP,” Ortom said.

In Enugu, Chief of Staff, to former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, Peter Mba, emerged winner in the gubernatorial contest. 

Mba, who was also Commissioner for Finance in Nnamani administration, polled 790 votes in the primaries contested by nine aspirants.

His closest rival, Mr Chijioke Edeoga polled nine votes, followed by Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa with three votes while Sen. Ike Ekweremadu and Mr Chukwunta Gilbert with one vote respectively.

The other five contestants which included Prof. Hillary Edeoga, Mr Ken Onoh, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Sen. Gilbert Nnaji and scored zero vote.

It would be recalled that Ekweremadu had in a statement early hours of Wednesday announced his withdrawal from the contest.

In Abia,  former Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu, Prof. Uche Ikonne emerged the governorship candidate of the party.

Ikonne was elected at the party’s primary election held at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Wednesday.

He polled 468 votes to defeat five other contestants.

Mr Lucky Igbokwe came a distant second with 45 votes, while the only female contestant, Mrs Ngozi Merenge, scored five votes.

Other contestants, including Deputy Governor, Ude Oko-Chukwu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Emma Nwaka, had earlier announced their withdrawal from the race.

They were however credited with six, five and four votes, respectively.

Also, Prof. Greg Ibe, who formally defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance on April 17, was also credited with two votes.

Other aspirants that withdrew from the race were Chief Ncheta Omerekpe, Mr Enyinnaya Nwafor and Mr Chima Anyaso.

However, they were credited with three, four and five votes, respectively.

The Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and former Gov. Ayo Fayose thanked the delegates for their peaceful conduct during the exercise.

In Delta, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, emerged winner of the the contest. 

Oborevwori polled a total of 590 votes to beat his closest rival, former Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief David Edevbie, who scored a total of 113 votes.

Other aspirants are Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro who scored nine votes and the immediate past Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor who also polled nine votes.

Sen. James Manager (83); Mr Fred Majemite (six); Ejaife Odebala (three); Chief Abel Esievo, (two); Dr Braduce Angozi; ( two ); Sir Bright Onajefe-Gift, ( three); Mr Chris Iyowaye, ( zero); Lucky Idike, (one); and Chief Ikie Agbarianovwe scored no vote.

The PDP Returning Officer, Mr Ndubisi Nwobu and his team, while declaring the result, announced Oborevwori winner for scoring the highest number of votes in the primary election.

According to him, the elections committee accredited a total of 824 delegates for the primary elections but 822 votes were cast with three void votes.

“Oborevwori scored a total of 590 out of 821 valid votes to emerge winner and he is hereby returned as the Delta PDP candidate for the 2023 general election.”