The Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected Mr Jimoh Ibrahim as the party’s candidate in the coming Ondo State governorship election.
The primary election which lasted over two hours was preceded by an all-night congress among over 800 delegates at the Premier Hotel, Mokola in Ibadan, the Oyo State’s capital in Nigeria’s southwest zone.
The electoral committee, headed by Mr Ahmed Gulak, hinted that the congress was moved out of Akure, the Ondo State capital for security reasons.
After three other aspirants had stepped down for Mr Ibrahim, he polled 502 votes to emerge the winner with his only co-contestant, Mr Olusola Ebiseni, scoring 41 votes while 17 votes were voided.
In his acceptance address, the factional flag bearer promised to defend the mandate by creating jobs and making Ondo State an industrial hub.
The National Vice Chairman and Southwest Chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, the PDP Chairman in Ondo State, Mr Popoye Biyi and the Southwest Secretary, Mr Otemolu Adepegba, were among party dignitaries present at the primaries.
Prior to Ibrahim’s emergence, the Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP had presented a former Attorney General of Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, as the flag bearer in the coming governorship poll.