Adamawa Bye-Election: Sen Jibrilla Picks APC Ticket …As Fintiri Wins PDP Primary

Senator Jibrilla yesterday emerged the flagbearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Adamawa gubernatorial bye-election scheduled for October 11, 2014,
barely five hours after the acting governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri picked the Peoples Democratic Party ticket.
Senator Jibrilla polled 2,718 votes to beat five other contestants for the ticket.
Our correspondent learnt in Yola, yesterday, that 6, 478 delegates  participated in the exercise which did not begin at the various local government areas until about 12 noon.
The State Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Lawal explained that only members of the executive committee of the party at various levels participated in the selection process.
He said “Only EXCO (members) of the party are delegates and the election was delayed to 12 noon to enable Christian delegates participate.
“We have 6,478 delegates and because of the security situation in Madagali and Michika Local governments, delegates from these areas cast their votes in Gombi.”
Those who contested in the race are: Senator Bindiw Jibrilla, Senator Ahmed Hassan Barata, Yakubu Tsala, Emmanuel Bello, Ibrahim Mijinyawa and Boss Mustapha.
Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, in the early hours of yesterday was declared winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), primary.
The development means that he will fly the party’s flag in the October 11 governorship election in the state.
Fintiri, speaker of the state’s legislature, led the impeachment of former Governor, Murtala Nyako.
He contested the primary despite opposition by aspirants who described his ambition as morally wrong.
Earlier last week, seven aspirants, including ex-EFCC boss, Nuhu Ridadu, withdrew from the contest after a meeting presided over by Senate President, David Mark, at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Fintiri was voted by 60 per cent of the more than 878 delegates at the poll conducted by a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
While a former executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo came second, a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa was third.
The Tide source gathered that the power of incumbency worked for Fintiri who had secured the loyalty and support of statutory delegates like local government chairmen, councillors, and other political appointees.
A former Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, also reportedly stepped down for the acting governor.