Labaran Maku: loses bid for governorship of Nasarawa

Former minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku has had his governorship dreams in Nasarawa state aborted.

Maku, who was a former deputy governor of the central Nigerian state, lost the primary to Mohammed Yusuf Agabi, a businessman and educationist.

Maku had resigned his post under President Jonathan to contest the governorship position and he had also been the loudest critic of the incumbent governor, Tanko Al Makura of the All Progressives Congress.

Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, stated that Yusuf Agabi polled 214 votes to defeat Maku and former Governor Aliyu Doma, who polled 160 and 129 votes respectively.

Sen. Solomon Ewuga got 31 votes; former Deputy Gov. Michael Abdul, 28 votes; Deputy Gov. Dameshi Luka, 12 votes, while Yakubu Bala and Chris Mamman polled 4 and one votes respectively.

In Jigawa state, Malam Aminu Ringim, former Chief of staff to Gov. Sule Lamido, was was elected unopposed as PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Jigawa.

Alhaji Abba Anas and Alhaji Aminu Kani stepped down before commencement of the election.

The aspirants said they withdrew from the race for the sake of unity of the party.

The Returning Officer, Alhaji Kaulaha Aliyu, said Ringim scored 1,120 votes out of 1,126 votes recorded.

Aliyu explained that six votes were invalid and commended the delegates and supporters of the party for the peaceful conduct of the polls.

In his acceptance speech, Ringim thanked the party for the confidence reposed in him and pledged not to supporters and people of the state down.

Senator Benedict Ayade emerged winner of the PDP governorship primaries in Cross River.

Ayade polled 752 votes, while his closest rival, Mr Joe Agi (SAN) got 11 votes. Nine votes were declared invalid.

NAN reports that 831 delegates were accredited for the exercise.

Announcing the result in Calabar, Mr Olusola Akanmode, the Returning Officer, said other aspirants, Godwin Agba and Rev. Father Francis Eworo scored five votes each.

In his reaction, Ayade pledged to continue with the developmental programmes of the present administration of the state.

Some aspirants, Mr Mike Aniah, immediate past Secretary to Cross River Government and Mr Larry Odey, Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, had stepped down and pledged their support for Ayade.

Others included Fidelis Ugbo, immediate past Executive Secretary of National Planning Commission and Legor Idagbor, immediate past Commissioner for Works.