Senate President warns against cross carpeting
Alarmed by the increasing rate at which members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are ditching the party, Senate President, Senator David Mark has counseled politicians against cross carpeting on account of setback at the primaries.
He said such action wouldn't promote political ideology.
Senator Mark who stated while reacting to his victory at the PDP where he floored rival General Lawrence Onoja with 1680 votes as against 317 vote cast, stressed the need for consistent and steadfastness in pursuit of political ambitions.
The senate president dedicated the victory to God and the good people of Benue South for their continued support and solidarity to him saying,'By the grace of God, I will continue to do my best and doing those things that would make my people proud.
'Their trust and investment in me would not be misplaced and I will continue to promote peace, unity and progress in our land.'
In the result announced by the PDP Benue South Electoral Panel Chairman, Senator Godwin Okpeh, Senator Mark who is contesting for the fourth term, defeated Onoja in all the nine Local Government Areas of the zone. Announcing the results, Senator Okpeh expressed satisfaction that the election was not only free and fair but also peacefully conducted and urged the electorate to remain steadfast in the forthcoming elections. According to Okpeh; 'If all our elections are conducted in this peaceful manner, we would have no problem conducting elections in this country.'
Meanwhile, results of PDP Senatorial primaries election in Nasarawa State showed that former Governor Abdullahi Adamu defeated Senator Abubakar Sodangi with 545 votes to 435 to pick the party's ticket for the Nasarawa West senatorial district. Similarly, Senator Patricia Akwashiki floored former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory and her political mentor to gain the right to re-contest her Nasarawa North Senate seat.
Senator Suleiman Adokwe also won the PDP re-election ticket for the Nasarawa South election.
In Osun, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore, emerged as the senatorial candidate of the PDP for Osun East senatorial zone. Omisore, who is contesting for the third term, defeated Francis Fadahunsi, a retired Assistant-Comptroller of Customs.
The party primaries that extended till around 10p.m of Friday, saw Omisore emerging victorious with 1, 813 votes out of 2, 383 delegates that participated in the party election. His challenger, Fadahunsi polled 404 votes while 57 votes were voided with nine missing.
For Osun West senatorial district, Chairman Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, emerged as senatorial candidate of the PDP unopposed. Adeleke would be running for a second term at the Senate.