Engr. Musa Wada, younger brother to former governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada has emerged the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary held in Lokoja on Wednesday, ahead of the November 16 election.
Engr. Musa Wada scored 748 votes, followed by Abubakar Idris with 710 votes, the former governor, Captain Idris Wada came third with 345; Senator Dino Melaye, 70 votes; Aminu Abubakar Suleiman, 55; Victor Adoji, 54; Erico Ahmeh, 42; AVM Salihu Atawodi (rtd), 11; Emmanuel Omebije, 9; Mohamed Shaibu, 4; Bayo Averehi, 2; and Mrs Grace Adejoh polled 0.
Musa Wada, from Dekina Local Government area of Kogi State is said to be former governor of the State, Captain Idris Wada’s younger brother and also in-law to another former governor, Idris Ibrahim.
Voting had ended and the sorting of votes was going on when the gunmen came to the venue at about 1:45 a.m. Wednesday and started shooting from different directions.
Votes in seven out of the 10 ballot boxes have already been sorted and counted before the disruption by the gunmen.
Following the disruption, the Governor Umar Fintiri led election panel called for a meeting of all aspirants where after a marathon session, it was agreed that sorting and counting should continue.
Luckily for the party, all agents already have figures of votes from the first seven ballot boxes that were already counted before the disruption. The other three boxes still to be sorted out were in possession of Governor Fintiri panel.
Engr. Musa Wada, who was declared winner, appealed to other contestants to accept the result in good faith and in the interest of the party, promising to carry them along in all the processes leading to the real election
The PDP governorship candidate in a statement, described the election as keenly contested, noting that all the aspirants that contested with him were very qualified to be governor, but said by Providence, he emerged the party’s flag bearer.
While promising to run an all inclusive government if elected, the PDP governorship candidate called on all those who contested with him, the members of the party and all Kogites at home and in the diaspora to join hands with him in taking the state out of the woods.
Engr Wada described the current situation in Kogi state as unacceptable. He also lamented the sufferings of the citizens, promising to offer quality leadership that would make the state the envy of all. (Photo: Gcfrng)