Tafida picks PDP ticket for HOR bye election in Taraba

By Okerafor Athanasius

Following the Taraba State bye – election scheduled to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 3rd February, 2024 for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has late Monday, picked Hon. Sadique Abbas Tafida as its Candidate for the election.

Daily Times correspondent reports that Hon. Sadique is the son of the paramount ruler of the Muri Emirate Kingdom, HRH, Alhaji Abbas Njida Tafida.

Tafida’s emergence was through consensus following the withdrawal of Nine (9) other aspirants who communicated the Electoral Committee through letter writing.

Despite the consensus nature of the exercise held at the Gymnastics Hall of the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, the delegates were mandated to perform their franchise by casting their votes.

Announcing the results, the Chairman, PDP Electoral Committee for Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency Election, Hon. Mohammed Bello Aliyu said 96 delegates were accredited while 95 voted.

According to Hon. Aliyu, Sadique Abbas Tafida scored a total number of 95 votes while all others got zero vote.

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“Hon. Sadique Abbas Tafida, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes cast, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected as the candidate of PDP for for the forthcoming election”, he said.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly, Hon. Aliyu said the withdrawal of the other nine (9) aspirants from the race was for the interest of the party.

The PDP Secretary in the state, Hon. Kuriya Tafarki Auta described the exercise as peaceful saying there was dialogue, discussion with the aspirants before they decided to step down for one person.

“My call to the other aspirants is for them to rally round the person that has been declared as the winner, let them work as a family to deliver PDP in the general election”, he said.

Also Speaking, the winner of the Election, Hon. Sadique Abbas Tafida said PDP suggested for a consensus primary election which the Aspirants obliged and asked him to be their flag bearer.

He further lauded Governor Agbu Kefas for providing a level playing ground for the election, the relegates for believing in him adding that the election is not yet over.

Pledging to sponsor bills that would attract dividends of democracy for the people of the Federal Constituency if elected, Abbas noted that he would follow the other aspirants one by one for their support.

One of the withdrawn aspirants, Hon. (Mrs.) Leah Solomon refuted allegations that the Aspirants withdrew under pressure. “I told my colleagues that election is not a do or die affair but an issue of understanding, the withdrawal was not by compulsion and we are ready to work for the success of the party in the general election.