…Congratulates Okowa, Dafinone, Joel-Onowakpo on Landslide Victoriesa
Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fostering internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the party’s just-concluded senatorial primaries in Delta State.
The minister also congratulated the winners of the primary election, describing the exercise as the most peacefully conducted in the state in recent years.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Keyamo described the exercise, held on Monday across the three senatorial districts, as the most free and fair primary election organized by the party in the state since its inception in 2013.
The primaries produced decisive outcomes, with the party’s flag bearers emerging by overwhelming margins .
In Delta North Senatorial District, former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa clinched the ticket after a landslide victory over the incumbent, Senator Ned Nwoko. Official results declared by the APC Returning Officer, Prof. Johnbull Tonukari, showed Okowa polled 113,309 votes, while Nwoko secured 2,612 votes. Dr. Maryam Ali polled 40 votes .
Similarly, in Delta Central Senatorial District, the incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone retained the party’s ticket by defeating his predecessor and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. Dafinone polled 116,252 votes across the eight local government areas, while Omo-Agege scored 3,643 votes.
In Delta South Senatorial District, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas is leading in six out of the eight local government areas, according to results collated in the presence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.
Speaking on the conduct of the primaries, Keyamo noted that the exercise witnessed a large turnout of what he described as “truly ORGANIC voters and members of the APC in Delta State,” with voting conducted at various ward levels in an atmosphere that was largely free and fair.
“As a foundation member and leader of the APC in Delta and one of the first Senatorial Aspirants of the Party in the State in 2013, I can state unequivocally that this is the best primaries organised by the Party in the State since its inception,” Keyamo said.
The Minister specifically praised President Tinubu for promoting internal democracy and allowing a free and fair process nationwide.
“Those who ignored local and grass-root leaders and neither lobbied or consulted them, but sought to get tickets from Abuja to impose themselves on the people have now been brought down from their high horses.This is a moment of sober reflection for them and time to join hands with others to truly build the Party from the grassroots”, Keyamos stated.
Keyamo urged all aspirants who lost gallantly to take the outcome in good faith and embrace the victors for the unity of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Now is a time for healing and reconciliation,” he said. “I urge all those who have lost gallantly to take it on their chin and embrace the victors for the unity of the Party and ultimately for victory of all our candidates at the general elections next year.”
He also called on the winners to be magnanimous in victory and extend hands of fellowship to accommodate their opponents and supporters within their structures.
“There is always strength in unity,” Keyamo added.
The Minister also commended Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, for providing purposeful leadership and running what he described as “one of the most inclusive political systems ever witnessed in the State.”
“His style of leadership is second to none and 2027 is just a coronation waiting to happen for him,” Keyamo said.
Governor Oborevwori, who voted during the House of Representatives primaries held on Saturday, had earlier praised the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the state, describing it as a reflection of unity and growing cohesion within the party.
Keyamo concluded his statement with a firm message to opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“To APC members, admirers and supporters nationwide, stay strong, keep the faith, work hard. VICTORY IS IN SIGHT”.
“FOR THE OPPOSITION, in 2027, EVERYWHERE GO FIRST BLUR!!”, he said.
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