BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
After series of all night long deliberations on who succeeds Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the PDP delegates in Sokoto State have elected Alhaji Saidu Umar (Ubandoman Sokoto) as the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer for the 2023 general elections.
Saidu Umar, who recently resigned his position from Governor Tambuwal’s cabinet as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was favoured above four other aspirants.
The four other aspirants include, Tambuwal’s deputy governor, Manir Muhammed Dan’Iya, former commissioner of Environment, Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa, former deputy governor, Muhktari Shagari and the State chairman of PDP, Hon Bello Aliyu Goronyo.
Affirming the process at the International Conference Center, Kasarawa after arriving at concensus from the Sokoto Government House, 755 delegates from across the 23 local government areas of the State cast their votes to authenticate the process.
The primary election was monitored by INEC officials and supervised by national committee of the party headed by Dr Tom Zakari
Announcing the outcome of the votes, Dr Zakari said the winner scored 695 votes and the remaining were voided .
“Said Zakari, by the outcome of this primary election and as the leader of the national committee to monitor this exercise, I hereby declare Alhaji Sa’idu Umar as the winner and flag bearer of our great party, the PDP”
On his part, Governor Tambuwal appreciated all the aspirants for their understanding and agreeing to go for consensus option.
“I truly want to appreciate the four other aspirants who withdrew their aspirations and gave room for a hitch free process”.
He however said that Sagir Attahiru Bafarwa will be the running mate to Saidu Umar while his deputy, Manir Dan’Iya will be given Senatorial slot of the Sokoto North Senatorial District.
“Be rest assured that we shall work hard to ensure that we win convincingly all seats in Sokoto come 2023 by God’s grace”.
“We will, like always continue to promote politics of conscience and not that of violence” Tambuwal reassured.
Reacting to the outcome of the Primary election, Saidu Umar assured of not only continuing with all the good works of Tambuwal if eventually elected, but also initiate more people oriented projects for the good people of Sokoto State.
Saidu Umar also assured equal opportunity for all in Sokoto irrespective of political, religious or ideological lineages.
“I want to thank our mentor, the governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who has has built, roofed and furnished the house which we will ensure its aesthetic value is sustained”.
“I am appealing to everybody that we must have offended. And be rest assured that we are ready to get across to members of other political parties to bridge any perceived gap”.
Observing the mood of the delegates when news of the consensus filtered into the venue of the primary election, the PDP seems to have taken them by surprise.
Speaking exclusively to our reporter after the primary election which lasted till midnight, some of the delegates said, they are not very happy with the outcome.
“We must be very frank with you and the whole world that this resolution and consensus to arrived at former SSG, Saidu Umar might not go well for us in the general election.
“For us, the decision seems like a technical give away of the State to the opposition APC if they bring forth a more popular flag bearer”. The delegates observed.
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