Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya has been declared the winner of the just concluded Labour Party re-run Governorship Primary election for Taraba State.
This followed the Federal High Court, Jalingo’s ruling of Saturday 4th February, 2023 that a fresh Labour Party governorship primary election be conducted within 10 days.
The Labour Party in Taraba State in fulfilment of the order, Saturday, 11th February, conducted the primary election which saw Sen. Joel Danlami Ikenya reemerge as the clear winner.
The primary election which was conducted at the premises of the Labour Party Secretariat along CBN by pass road, Jalingo, drawn delegates from all the 16 LGAs of the State and the two Special Development Areas of Yangtu and Ngada.
A total of 90 delegates were expected to participate in the primary election out of the number, 83 were accredited and participated in the voting.
Two Governorship aspirants contested under the party are, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya and Evangelist Phillip Munlip.
Announcing the result after counting of the ballots, the Returning Officer of the primary election, Mr. Herbert Alexander declared as follows:
“Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya scored 82 votes, Evangelist Phillip Munlip 0 vote, while 1 invalid vote recorded. Having fulfill the required number of votes cast, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya is hereby declared the winner of the primary election.
Mr. Herbert Alexander commended the delegates and party members in the state for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves during the primary election.
Also speaking at the end of the exercise, the Taraba State Labour Party Chairperson, Mrs Esther Gulmu Johnson expressed happiness that the primary election happened without any incident, noting that it would put an end to any doubts about the party’s to win all elections in the state. She advised those who do not mean well for the party to steer clear or face severe sanctions from now onwards.
Our correspondents report that the election was peacefully conducted under the watchful eyes of security agents who were deployed to ensure peace and order.
