The Majority Leader of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Godiya Akwashiki, and 12 other serving lawmakers have won their party’s ticket to re-contest their seats in the 2015 general elections.
The 13 lawmakers, members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were among the 23 persons who won primaries to emerge PDP House of Assembly candidates for next year’s elections.
Seven of the lawmakers: Mohammed Okpede, Doma North constituency; Yahaya Usman, Umaisha constituency; Ada Goje Toto, Gadabuke constituency; Aliyu Umar, Awe North constituency; Abdulkarim Usman, Wamba Constituency; Godiya Akwashiki, Eggon East; and Raphael Saka of Kokona east constituency were returned unopposed.
Declaring the result at the state party secretariat in Lafia, the state capital, the chairman of the electoral committee, Aliyu Sani, announced the other lawmakers who won their primaries as Peter Umbucho, Akwanga north; Bulus Chetubo, Karu –Gitata; Aga Muluku, Eggon East; and Baba Ibaku of Udege-loko constituency.
Others are Anthony Obande of Doma south constituency and Tahir Alayi of Karshi Uke constituency.
Mr. Sani said the primaries were conducted without hitches and that a run-off election will be conducted in Keana constituency because two candidates scored same votes.
“Primary elections have been conducted and results have been submitted,” he said. “I am very pleased to say that the exercise was very smooth without any rancour, there was no problem and results have reached us”.
“We have 23 results and the 24th which is Keana constituency where there is a tie because two candidates, Orogu Francis and Sanusi Abdul, both scored 29 votes each.
“And according to the laid down regulations of our party, in such situation a rerun will be conducted so we are going to recommend a run-off election within the week”.
One serving lawmaker, Agyo Mesa, representing Lafia North, who decamped from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the PDP lost to a new entrant, Mohammed Alkali. Winners were also announced for the other constituencies to represent the party in the elections.
The PDP Chairman in Nasarawa, Yunana Iliya, also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the primaries.
