From Abel Abogonye, Lafia
Arc. Shehu Tukur has been declared winner of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Nasarawa West Senatorial District primary election ahead of the general election in 2023.
Declaring the winner, Ahmed Jibrin, Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee on Saturday said Tukur polled 179 votes to defeat Barr. Labaran Magaji who polled 114 votes.
According to Ahmed a total of 294 delegates were expected for the exercise, but only 293 were accredited to vote while one delegate was absent.
The western senatorial election had suffered several postponements due to irregularities in the delegates name.
The winner who is the candidate of the Abdullahi Adamu, the party national chairman, will replace him at the red chamber if he wins the 2023 general elections.
In an interview with newsmen, Tukur thanked the delegates for their commitment and pledged to vigorously defend their interests if voted to represent them at the general election in 2023.
He admitted that the process had been transparent, peaceful but also hectic and thank God for the successful conclusion of the electoral process.
Tukur however appealed to his co-contestant to support him in the general election to ensure APC wins not only in Nasarawa West but the entire state.
Also speaking to newsmen, Magaji congratulated Tukur for emerging winner of the contest after his doggedness.
“For me alone to fight this battle to this level shows that there is hope ahead of us. Everybody knows the institutions, characters and personalities I withstand till date but I stand tall to arrive at this level.
“So I want to congratulate myself, congratulate my teeming supporters and APC should be the party to beat in the general elections,” he said.
It is worthy of note that the election cumbered with controversies was keenly contested and which led to postponements severally
The controversy was that the alleged original delegates list for the election was altered thereby forcing a frontrunner in the contest, Hon. Ahmed Wadada to withdraw in protest.
However, the withdrawal of Wadada did not stop the party from conducting the election for the remaining two aspirants, Tukur and Magaji.