Adamawa Election: 800 delegates to participate in PDP primaries

No fewer than 800 delegates are participating in Saturday’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in Adamawa.

The PDP State Secretary, Tahir Shehu, told NAN in Yola that the primary was delayed to put some records appropriately.

He said that the election was initially scheduled to take place at 10:00 a.m. but was delayed due to some technical issues.

“A total of 800 delegates from 21 local government areas of the state are to participate in the primary election after screening.

“A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, is leading seven others from the party’s National Headquarters is to conduct the election under the supervision of INEC.”

He said the delay was also caused by a crucial meeting of the 14 aspirants, including those that withdrew from the race and party officials.

According to the secretary, six aspirants are to contest in the party primaries including the Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahamdu Umaru Funtiri; former Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Aliyu Gulak.

Others are Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Retired), Dr Umar Ardo, Mr Jerry Kundusi and former UBEC boss, Dr Dahiru Modibbo.

Also, the Organising Secretary of PDP in Adamawa, Alhaji Abdullahi Peranbi, told NAN that there were some fundamental issues that arose that needed to be cleared before going to the election.

“Some important issues arose in the morning both from the aspirants which need careful attention and deliberation before going to the election.

“As you know about eight aspirants withdrew from the race and there are possibilities by some to follow the same line,” Peranbi said.

Some delegates started trooping into the venue of the election as early as 9:00 a.m.

However, the screening of the delegates has yet to commence as at afternoon.

There was heavy presence of armed security operatives at the venue of the election.