Bauchi 2023: PDP To Hold Fresh Primary, Gov Bala Begs Winner

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said it will conduct a fresh primary election, cancelling the last week exercise that produced, Ibrahim Kashim as the gubernatorial candidate of the party.

 

Newsonline had reported that Ibrahim Kashim, former Secretary to the Bauchi State government, had clinched the ticked at last week primary.

 

The call for a rerun became louder following the loss of the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the concluded Peoples Democratic Party, presidential primary election. Read more.

 

Announcing the result of the Bauchi PDP primary election, the Returning Officer for the election, Hassan Ahmed Grema, declared Kashim, as winner, saying “he polled a total of 655 votes out of the 656votes, while one was invalid.”

 

READ ALSO: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Blasts Atiku, Vows To Work Against His PDP Candidacy

 

In his acceptance speech, Kashim said he accepted the mandate given to him by the delegates.

 

“The contest has just begun for 2023. The PDP is ready to beat every other opposition,” he had said.

 

However, the loss to Atiku at the presidential primary made things fall apart between Governor Bala Mohammed and Kashim.

 

Reports said while Governor Bala Mohammed, a first time governor has been sending delegates to persuade Kashim to give him the mandate, Kashim refused.

 

Confirming the call for a fresh primary, the PDP spokesman, Yayanuwa Zainabari in Bauchi said a fresh exercise would be conducted, according to him, Kashim who was elected as the sole aspirant said he no longer has interest in the seat.

 

“Former Secretary to the Government of Bauchi State, Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, has withdrawn his candidature and submitted his candidature since he stepped down on his own the party is left with no option but to get his replacement through fresh Primary election.”

 

READ ALSO: 2023 Power Play: Governors, Ex-Governors To Hand Powers To Their Children

 

Further clarifying the position of the law on the fresh primary, Yayanuwa Zainabari said, “We are following the process and we will conduct fresh governorship Primary election. Governor Bala contested for the presidential ticket based on the calls from well-meaning Nigerians, he answered their calls and now the People of Bauchi want him to contest for the second term. It is also left for the people of the state to decide, and whatever the people decide will be done, governor is somebody who answers the calls of his people.”