By Wole Mosadomi
Two people were reported dead while many others sustained serious injuries out of which three are said to be unconscious following violence that erupted during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Edati Local government area Niger state, Constituency of Senator Zaynab Kure.

Besides the loss of lives, no fewer than eight vehicles and two motor cycles were burnt during the exercise.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that violence erupted as a result of what the delegates described as “manipulation of result and discarding of the zooming arrangement” agreed upon in the area.

It was earlier agreed that the incumbent member of House of Assembly Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Gamunu would only contest for only one term while another zone would present a candidate for another one term which was agreed upon.

The same zooming agreement it was also learnt is binding on the incumbent Local government chairman who has no right to contest for a second term when his tenure expires.

The PDP Executive members in the area it was gathered turned their backs against the zooming at the last minute as earlier agreed and even went as far as aiding the manipulation at the primaries polls which angered the other party members.

Dangerous weapons like Cutlasses, Daggers among others were freely used while the police on duty were said to be helpless as they would not overpower the warring party members.

However, one person was said to have been arrested while police are still hunting for other people involved in the fracas.

While the story was pathetic in Edati, the primaries in other councils including Chanchaga, Bida, Gbako and Lavun were peaceful.

In Minna the state capital, the primaries in Chanchaga Local government area was peaceful as the incumbent, Hajiya Jummai Jafaru polled 93 votes to beat the closest rival Ahmed Salihu with 62 votes while Danjuma Natu came third with 27 votes out of the 233 delegates. Eight people vied for the seat.

Results from other councils that were received  before going to the press include that of Lavun where the incumbent chairman of the Local government, Mr. Jacob Maj Gana polled 185 votes while the incumbent in Bida, Isah Kawu also won convincingly.

Others that came out victorious are the incumbent member of the House and one time speaker, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali who won in Gbako while the immediate past commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Adamu Usman also won in Mokwa Local government.

Result from other areas are still being awaited.