Nigeria Content Online

In one of the most keenly watched elections during the PDP primaries in Ogun State, the state deputy governor, Salimot Badru, yesterday defeated her main challenger to emerge candidate and flagbearer of the PDP for the House of Representatives election. Mrs Badru defeated Emmanuel Hosu, a former chairman of Ipokia Local Government at the congress which attracted delegates from Ipokia and Yewa local government areas which took place at the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, emerged untouched following the disqualification of his opponents by the PDP verification team for the Abeokuta district.

In the Ilaro election, Mrs Badru polled 262 out of 840 votes, while Mr Hosu scored 212. Six of the total votes cast were foiled. The congress was conducted under the watchful eyes of security operatives, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission {INEC}, journalists and party officials.

The policemen, who mounted security round the premises, kept suspected hoodlums at bay.

The two contestants watched the exercise from a distance, as delegates filed out one by one to determine their fates through voting which lasted for about three hours. The results were announced publicly after.

The victory of Mrs Badru was followed by a wild celebration by her supporters. The deputy governor, who defeated her opponent with 50 votes, said her victory was for all members of the party.

Arrested armed suspects

Meanwhile, a son of a former local government chairman identified as Akinloye Bankole, was yesterday arrested by police over his alleged attempt to smuggle arms into the venue of the congress. The suspect was apprehended along with a few of his colleagues during a police check on the Mazda he was driving towards the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro venue of the congress.

The police, suspecting foul play, insisted on searching the car and discovered guns and ammunition which the suspect could not successfully explain. He was subsequently taken to the police station for further interrogation, along with with the car and its contents. As news of his arrest filtered into the premises of the congress, his father, said to be a delegate, reportedly became crestfallen. He refused to speak about the incident. Police sources said the suspect will be transferred to the police headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta.

A number of locally-made amulets and other charms were also seized from some delegates at the congress by security operatives.