The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has selected Mr. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka to represent the party in the state’s governor election on November 11.
Dr. Arome Okeme, the SDP’s state secretary, revealed this to reporters on Monday in Lokoja.
Okeme claims that in order to satisfy the criteria of the electoral statute to that effect, the state chapter of the SDP has finished the process of substituting its candidate in a primary election on May 20, 2023.
Alhaji Sheik Ibrahim Jibril’s campaign was declared invalid during the May 20 runoff primary, and Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka was declared the party’s official candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election.
“The primary election witnessed the turnout of the electoral umpire, security operatives and gentlemen of the press who graced the occasion in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.
“After votes were cast and the result announced, where out of the over 600 delegates present, over 95% cast their votes in favour of Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.
“Barrister Joseph Achille Abu, the National Organizing Secretary, who doubles as the Electoral Committee Chairman, announced the result to the jubilation and excitement of party members, stakeholders and well-wishers alike,” the statement read.
It added, “With this development, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, having satisfied all the requirements by the party and electoral body, is poised to be heralded and hoisted as the party’s duly elected candidate by INEC in the coming days or weeks.
“It is safe to say that kogites are about to witness a new dawn of leadership that is purposeful, calculative, coordinated, passionate and result-oriented”.
Meanwhile, the state chairman of the party, Hon. Moses Peter, appreciated the party members,and the people of the state for their continued support, stressing that they should keep date with the party in the November governorship election.