Ayu heads PDP’s 25-man Appeal Committee for Ekiti primary poll

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Thursday, set up a Gubernatorial Appeal Panel to consider complaints arising from the conduct of the just-concluded governorship primary election for the upcoming 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The PDP, had Wednesday, conducted its governorship primary in the state, as former chairman of the party in the state, Bisi Kolawole, emerged winner of the ticket to represent it at the forthcoming June 18 governorship poll.

The primary election was conducted on Wednesday, in the state’s capital of Ado-Ekiti and contested by 11 aspirants.

However, while the accreditation held at the Pastoral Centre in Ado-Ekiti, the actual voting was conducted at the Great Eagle Hall.

Kolawole was declared winner by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who was the chairman of the Primary Election Committee of the PDP.

The former state chairman polled a total of 671 delegates’ votes to defeat his closest challenger, and former governor of the state, Segun Oni, who garnered 330 votes.

The exercise was nearly marred as delegates engaged in fisticuffs over allegation that the list had been doctored to favour a candidate. However, the matter was eventually resolved as voting continued.

Meanwhile, to hear grievances of aspirants, the national Working Committee of the party announced a 25-member panel headed by National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu for that purpose.

According to the PDP, the Appeal Panel is scheduled to sit on Friday, January 28, 2022 at the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall of the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja at 3pm.

The members of the Appeal Panel are;

1.  H.E. Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu – Chairman

2. Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum- Member

3. H.E. Amb. Taofeek Arapaja- Member

4. Hon. Arch. Setonji Koshoedo- Member

5. Hon. Umar M. Bature- Member

6. Hon. Debo Ologunagba- Member

7. Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN- Member

8. Alhaji Ahmed Yayari Mohammed- Member

9. Daniel Ambrose Woyengikuro- Member

10. Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe- Member

11. Muhammed Kadade Suleiman- Member

12. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel- Member

13. Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo (NVC/SW) – Member

14. Chief Dr. Ali Obasi Odefa (NVC/SE)- Member

15.  Chief Dan Osi Orbih (NVC/SS)- Member

16. Mr. Emmanuel Nicovoa Bovoa (NVC/NE)- Member

17.  Rt. Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan (NVC/NC)- Member

18. Dr. Aminu Abdullahi (Caretaker NW)- Member

19. Alhaja Mrs. Mutitat Ladoja (BoT-SW)- Member

20. Amb. Mrs. Fidelia A. Njeze (BoT-SE)- Member

21. H.E. Sen. Liyel Imoke(BoT-SS)- Member

22. Mrs. Laurencia Malam (BoT-NW)- Member

23. Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri(BoT-NE)- Member

24. Prof. Jerry Gana(BoT-NC)- Member

25. Sen. Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu- Secretary

It would be re called that Kolawole had resigned his position as Ekiti PDP chairman in order to contest the governorship election.

He was also the preferred candidate of the former governor of the state, Mr Ayo Fayose.

Kolawole is a former lawmaker who represented Efon constituency in the state House of Assembly. He also served as commissioner of environment between 2015 and 2018.

The result sheet:

Kayode Adaramodu- 10

Kazeem Ayodeji- 6

Olusola Kolapo- 93

Deborah Ali- 1

Ojo- 1

Makanjuola- 1

Biodun Olujimi- 2

Aderemi Adewumi- 1

Adewale Aribisala- 56

Segun Oni- 330

Bisi Kolawole- 671