After series of all night long deliberations on who succeeds incumbent Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State have arrived at Alhaji Saidu Umar (Ubandoman Sokoto) as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections.
Saidu Umar, who recently resigned his position from Tambuwal’s cabinet as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), was favoured above four other aspirants.
The four other aspirants include Tambuwal’s Deputy Governor, Manir Muhammed Dan’Iya, former State Commissioner for Environment, Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa, former Deputy Governor, Muhktari Shagari and the State chairman of PDP, Hon Bello Aliyu Goronyo.
Affirming the process at the International Conference Center, Kasarawa after arriving at concensus from the Sokoto Government House, 755 delegates from across the 23 local government areas of the state cast their votes to authenticate the process.
The primary election was monitored by INEC officials and supervised by National Committee of the party headed by Dr Tom Zakari.
Announcing the outcome of the votes, Dr Zakari said the winner scored 695 votes and the remaining were voided .
Zakari said, ” By the outcome of this primary election and as the leader of the national committee to monitor this exercise, I hereby declare Alhaji Sa’idu Umar as the winner and flag bearer of our great party, the PDP”
On his part, Governor Tambuwal appreciated all the aspirants for their understanding and agreeing to go for concensus option.
He said, “I truly want to appreciate the four other aspirants who withdrew their aspirations, given room for a hitch free process.
Tambuwal added that Sagir Attahiru Bafarwa will be the running mate to Saidu Umar while his deputy, Manir Dan’Iya will be given senatorial slot of the Sokoto North Senatorial District.
He said, “Be rest assured that we shall work hard to ensure that we win convincingly all seats in Sokoto, come 2023 by God’s grace.
“We will, like always, continue to promote politics of conscience and not that of violence.”
Reacting to the outcome of the primary election, Saidu Umar assured that he would not only continue with all the good works of Tambuwal if eventually elected, but also initiate more people-oriented projects for the good people of Sokoto State.
Saidu Umar also assured equal opportunity for all in Sokoto irrespective of political, religious or ideological lineages.
He said, “I want to thank our mentor, the Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who has built, roofed and furnished the house which we will ensure its aesthetic value is sustained.
“I am appealing to everybody that we must have offended. And be rest assured that we are ready to get across to members of other political parties to bridge any perceived gap”.
