Date Published: 09/23/11

Rogue Contractor, Gov Idris’ Son-In Law, Wada, emerges Kogi PDP governorship Standard bearer

Capt. Idris Wada has emerged winner of the Peoples’ Democratic Part (PDP), delegates conference for the election of the party’s standard bearer to the December 3 governorship election in the state.

Wada who owns Horizon Group of Companies, had been fingered in several contract scams in kogi state running into over N3 Billion. Most of the contracts he got from the state in the last three years have been abandoned with over 80 per cent of mobilization paid.

Married to the daughter of Governor Ibrahim Idris, he has been the front runner considering the fact that he had been anointed by Idris.

Wada polled 547 votes to beat runner up, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa who polled 296 votes in the election which dragged into the early hours of Friday in the Lokoja township stadium.

Seven aspirants picked nomination forms to contest for the party’s ticket, while three, Wada, Kutepa and the Deputy Gov. Chief Philip Salau, who got two votes contested.

Alhaji Jibrin Isa who opted out of the exercise much earlier, got one vote while AVM Salifu Atawodi, Dr Onukaba Adinoyi Ojo and Air Marshal Isaac (rtd) who also withdrew their candidacy got no votes.

Chairman of the electoral panel, Olateru Olagbegi disclosed that 855 delegates comprising 683 statutory and 172 non-statutory delegates were expected to cast their ballots but at the end, total votes cast were 851.

Declaring Wada winner of the primaries having scored the highest votes cast, Olagbegi described the election as free, fair and peaceful.

In his post-election speech, Wada said there was “no victor no vanquished'' and called on those who contested with him to cooperate with him to win the main election.

He urged those who contested for cooperation and unity to transform the state, saying that he believed in the transformation policy of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Wada promised to use his experience to take the state to the next level if elected in December.

He said that education, health, youth development and tourism among others, would form the bedrock of his administration.

The renowned pilot and businessman said he would ensure the motto of PDP, Justice, Unity and Progress, prevailed in the state.

Earlier in his address to the gathering, Gov. Ibrahim Idris described the PDP as a big family and called on the contestants and delegates to exhibit maturity in their conduct.

Idris urged them to always maintain peace and enjoined the contestants to accept the outcome of the exercise in good fate.