2019: Melaye wins Kogi west PDP ticket

THE senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, was on Tuesday affirmed as the candidate of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general election.

Two other constants, Tolorunjuwon Faniyi and the member representing Kabba/bunu/ ijumu federal constituency in the house of representatives, Hon Tajudeen Yusuf had stepped down for Melaye, while four other contenders in the race were not cleared by the party screening committee.

Those not clear for the primary include Sunday Karimi, member representing Yagba federal constituency, former acting governor of the state, Clarence Olafemi, Henry Ojuola and Ganiyu Salaudeen all from Yagba federal constituency.

The people constituency had always been arguing that t it was their turn to produce the next senator.

The affirmation primaries were conducted at the Prestige hotels in Kabba, headquarters of the senatorial axis.

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Returning officer for the exercise, Mr Jude Sule, said Melaiye scored all the delegates votes from the seven council areas that made the district.

The exercise which was peaceful was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and some security personnel.

Reacting after the exercise, Melaiye said the affirmation was “Shocking but not surprising”, saying that this might not be unconnected with the qualitative representation he had given the people of the senatorial district.

According to him, the endorsement would spur him to work harder for the development of the senatorial district when he eventually wins his second term bid.

He, however, appealed to all other aspirants who were aggrieved about his choice for the party to sheath their sword and join hands with him to rid the state and the country of the bad governance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) both at the state and national level.

But the central and the eastern senatorial districts of the state were yet to conclude their exercises as at press time.

It was gathered that the venue of the eastern senatorial district exercise in Idah was enveloped with tension as seven aspirants, including the incumbent senator representing the area, Attai Aidoko, were vying for the seat.

As at press time, delegates were re said to still be endlessly waiting for the arrival of the voting materials.

In a similar development, the central senatorial district was learnt the exercise was yet to commence as the three aspirants are also waiting for the election materials from the PDP headquarters.