All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates emerged yesterday, across the country, signalling the final countdown to February’s general election.
The party’s presidential candidates will emerge next week in Lagos to climax the pre-general election activities, while the party will pick its House of Representatives and Senate candidates this week.
House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal picked the Sokoto State ticket, Akinwunmi Ambode took a commanding lead in Lagos as the counting continued till the early hours of Friday, while Umana Okon Umana won in Akwa Ibom and Olorogun O’tega Emehor emerged the Delta State candidate.
In Niger State, Abubakar Sani Belo is the standard bearer, just as governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa) and Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe) got the tickets to run for second term.
Speaker Tambawal polled 3,466 votes to emerge tops, ahead of four other contenders.
His opponents’ scores are as follows: Professor Lawal Bashir (0), Yusha’u Ahmed Kebbe(13), Senator Umaru Dahiru Tambawal(23) and Jibrin Bello Gada(0). The primary was held at the Gingiya Memorial Stadium. The delegates were drawn from the 23 local government areas and 244 wards.
Total delegates accredited 3,569, total votes cast 3,513 and total valid votes 3,501.
The chairman of the four-man Electoral Panel, Bolaji Khalil, said 10 votes were invalid.
Tambuwal, who attributed his victory to Allah, praised Governor Aliyu Wamakko for his resilience in providing the right kind of leadership.
“I, therefore, wish to thank delegates and the good people of Sokoto State with the hope that you will extend your support to the party to ensure we form a responsive government that will transform the state,” he said.
After a rowdy scene, a former secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana Okon Umana, was declared the winner at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Umana, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week, scored 2,444 of the 2,453 valid votes, while his opponent, Senator James Akpanudoedehe, scored only six votes.
The shadow poll kicked off in Lagos around 1.30 pm, following the accreditation of about 6,000 delegates from the pre-existing 20 local governments.
As from 9 am, the aspirants stormed the venue. They include the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Hon. Lanre Ope, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Olasupo Sashore (SAN), Senator Ganiyu Solomon and former Health Commissioner Wahab Tokunbo.
Others are: Tayo Ayinde, Adekunle Disu, former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Akinwunmi Ambode and Tobun Agbesanwa, the only woman in the race.
Ambode entered the stadium shortly before the closure of the gate at 1.pm. The chartered accountant went around the high table to greet party leaders and co-aspirants.
He cracked jokes with Senator Solomon before sitting next to the House of Representatives member, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Voting started at 20.25 pm. Delegates from Epe Local Government Area were the first to cast their votes, shortly after the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Pastor Peter Obadan, a former deputy governor of Edo State, highlighted the voting procedure.
Obadan directed that delegates should put their badges on before voting. He also asked the local government chairmen to identify the delegates to prevent impostors from participating.
Obadan assured aspirants and delegates of a fair exercise, saying that “counting will be done in the open and the result will be announced”.
Governor Babatunde Fashola was absent. However, his deputy Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, Secretary to Government Dr. Oluranti Adebule and some commissioners witnessed the poll.
Also there were former Deputy Governors Rafiu Jafojo, Femi Pedro, Abiodun Ogunleye and Sarah Sosan; Senators Tony Adefuye, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Oluremi Tinubu and Gbenga Ashafa; House of Representatives members Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Lanre Odubote, Yakubu Balogun, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Deji Jakande, Adeola Olamilekan, Samuel Adejare and Akinderu Fatai.
Also present were Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Chief Funso Ologunde, Ganiyu Badmus, Alhaji Seriki Akanni Bamu, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, Abiodun Salam, Chief Raheem Daramola, Hon. Hakeem Oris, Abiodun Mafe, Chief Lanre Rasaq, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Olayinka Olagunsoye, Tunde Braimoh, Rotimi Agunsoye, Bayo Osinnowo, Hon. Segun Olulade, Bayo Ajisebutu, Chief Mutiu Are, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Dele Alade, Tunde Oshinlalu, Foluso Jayeoluwa and Hon. Joko Pelumi.