The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has held its rescheduled governorship primary, with Senator Simeon Ajibola, emerging as the candidate of the party.
The emerged candidate, who could be described as ‘surprise flag bearer’, promised to work with other aspirants to ensure victory for the party.
Delegates were at the venue of the governorship primary election where the initial primary that was cancelled was held.
The chairman of the electoral committee, who is also the Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, conducted the accreditation before voting commenced.
Twelve aspirants participated in the primary. The event scheduled for 2:00pm local time on Thursday commenced by 2:00am in the early hours of the following day (Friday).
At the end of the voting, Governor Suswan announced Senator Simeon Ajibola’s name as the winner with Dele Belgore coming second while Senator Gbemisola Saraki clinched third position.
Governor Suswan described the exercise as transparent, peaceful and fair, emphasising that the choice of the people has emerged.
However, the announcement did not to go down well with other aspirants, as they quietly went out of the venue unannounced.
In his acceptance speech, the winner thanked the party members for the confidence reposed in him and promised to ensure the victory of the party in the governorship election that will hold in 2015.
While answering questions on the reactions of other aspirants to his emergence, he noted that they had been working together and had agreed to support whoever emerged as candidate among them.
Senator Ajibola will slug it out with the incumbent governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who has received the party’s support for a second term.
