*Some retain tickets, others lose out
*Thugs hold officials hostage in Bayelsa
*Anambra NASS primaries hold today
*Igbinedion’s daughter wins in Edo
*Ondo PDP hold parallel primaries

By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Gabriel Enogholase, Anayo Okoli, Dapo Akinrefon, Simon Ebegbulem, Dayo Johnson, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Samuel Oyadongha, Peter Okutu, Daud Olatunji, Boluwaji Obahopo, Marie-Therese Nanlong & Emem Idio.

FOR serving members of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday’s nationwide primaries of the party were bitter-sweet. It was sweet for a number of them that were handed re-election tickets and obviously bitter for those who lost out.

The exercises were hugely peaceful, free and fair apart from initial violence that was experienced in Bayelsa and the parallel primaries that were held in Ondo, prompting Senate President David Mark to say that in spite of challenges preceding the 2015 general elections, a free and fair election is all that is needed to sustain the country’s democracy.

The primaries in Anambra were rescheduled for today by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. So, both the House of Representatives and senatorial primaries will be conducted today.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh urged all House of Representatives and senatorial aspirants in Anambra to take note of the postponement.

File Photo: PDP Special National Convention: Delegates casting their votes at 2013 PDP Special National Convention . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Among incumbent Reps who retained their tickets are Daniel Reyenieju (Warri, Delta), Sodaguwo Adega Festus-Omoni (Ogbia, Bayelsa ), Ezekiel Adaji (Otukpo/Ohimini, Benue), Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejiocha (Isuikwuato/Umunneochi, Abia), Chief Uzo Azubuike (Aba North/South, Abia), Nnena Ukaeje (Bende, Abia) and Mr Uzona Abonta (Ukwa East/Ukwa West, Abia) and Tajudeen Yusuf (Kogi).

Incumbent legislators that lost out include Patrick Ikhariale and Friday Itulah (in Edo) and Simon Mwadkon (Bakin Ladi/Riyom, Plateau),

Edo: Igbinedion’s daughter Omosede picks ticket, as Ikhariale, Itulah lose

Three House of Representatives aspirants in Ovia Federal constituency of Edo state boycotted the exercise yesterday, accusing the leadership of the party in Edo South of manipulating the delegate lists in favour of the daughter of the Esama of Benin, Omosede Igbinedion.

The aspirants, Etinosa Onaiwu, Osayemwenre Edosa and Kelvin Aigbe said they decided to boycott the primaries when they discovered that the leader of the party in the South and former deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen had directed delegates to vote for Omosede. Their boycott paved way for Miss Igbinedion to become the sole candidate. Surprisingly, Patrick Ikhariele representing Esan Centrai/Esan West/Igueben Federal constituency lost to Mr Joe Edionwere. Other results indicated that EJ Agbonayinma picked the ticket for Egor/Ikpoba Okhai Federal constituency, Larry Ogieva picked that of Uhumwonde/Orhiomwon Federal constituency while Ogbeide Ihama won that of Oredo Federal constituency.

Parallel exercises in Ondo

Parallel primaries were held yesterday in five of the nine House of Representatives’ federal constituencies in Ondo state.

In Akoko North East/North West, the primaries were disrupted following allegation that one 75year old Deni Akerele was to be imposed.

In Akure south/ Akure North a parallel primary was held with the emergence of Dare Aliu and Omolafe Adedayo of new and old PDP.

However, INEC officials and five PDP National Assembly Electoral Committee members from Abuja led by Hon Adewale Afolabi witnessed the election of Dare Aliu of the new PDP.

Federal constituencies where parallel primaries were held include Akoko South West/ Akoko South East, Ondo East/ondo West, Okitipupa/ Irele/Odigbo and Owo/Ose.

Both factions (old and new PDP) were able to harmonise in Ifedore/Idanre, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo and Ilaje/Ese-odo federal constituencies hence they produced one candidate each for the election.

Ogun: Bankole, Daniel’s loyalists boycott primaries

The PDP in Ogun, yesterday, held it primaries amid tight security in nine different locations across the state. The exercise was boycotted by loyalists of both former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The primaries were held by Buruji Kashamu group which controls the structure of the party in the state.

In Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Oqode federal constituency, four aspirants participated while three withdrew.

The primary was won by Olaleye Ibrahim who polled 56 votes while Rahman Abiola scored 45 just as Oyekunle Zacheus and Abiodun polled 21 and 10 respectively.

At the primary which was held for Abeokuta South Federal constituency, Abayomi Ajayi won the election as he polled 33 while a former Speaker of state House of assembly, Titi Oseni abruptly withdrew at the last minute.

Other aspirants at the primary who were defeated included a former lawmaker, Fasiu Bakenne scored four votes and Dada Oduntan who scored four votes.

Reyenieju retains ticket in Delta

Incumbent Hon. Daniel Reyenieju won the PDP ticket for the Warri Federal Constituency in the primary held at the Warri Township Stadium.

Reyenieju in the delayed voting scored 70 votes to edge out hard fighting Val. Areyinka who got 56 votes while daughter of late Hope Harriman, Ete Ayida scored two votes with 1983 Rep member for the constituency, Olivia Agbajoh polling one of the 129 votes of accredited delegates.

Thugs hold officials hostage in Bayelsa

Sporadic gunfire by policemen rented the air yesterday as youths suspected to be political thugs invaded the Bayelsa State Secretariat of the PDP ostensibly to hijack materials for the conduct of the primaries in the state.

Not even the large presence of security operatives could deter the thugs who held hostage, members of the electoral committee of the party deployed to the state for the conduct of the primaries.

The PDP Election Committee led by Idi Adamu were held hostage at the PDP Secretariat for hours as security men tried to dislodge the youths that besieged the place.

Some journalists who had been positioned in the area to witness the distribution of materials for the exercise were forced to run for cover. The incident, according to eyewitnesses, occurred at about 12 noon.

The suspected armed thugs reportedly arrived the PDP Secretariat in a White Siena Space wagon and armed with dangerous weapons including guns.

“We were all held hostage for hours. It was fearful. All of us including, the State Working Committee members of the Party were trapped inside the Secretariat, the source said.

The youths it was learnt were eventually dispersed and the hostages freed when security reinforcement were deployed to the complex.

Party faithful from the Yenagoa and Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituencies of the state nonetheless held the primaries in Yenagoa and Sagbama respectively.