Yilwatda Nentawe, ex-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s resident electoral commissioner in Benue, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Plateau.

The chairman of the electoral committee, Habu Ajiya, who announced the result said Mr Nentawe scored  803 votes to defeat three other aspirants in the governorship primary election held on Thursday in Jos.

Mr Ajiya also disclosed that Patrick Dakum came second with 70 votes, while Deputy Governor Sonni Tyoden of Plateau got 25 votes.

David Dimka, Messrs Tyoden and Dakum staged a walkout just before voting commenced. The aspirants left the venue when delegates from two out of the 17 local government areas (Quanpan and Langtang South) voted.

They declined to speak with journalists on why they walked out.

The electoral committee chairman added that five out of the nine aspirants withdrew from the race before the commencement of the primary election.

According to him, those who stepped down were Sunday Biggs, Sarpiya Danyaro, Hezekiah Dimka and Steve Fitka.

Mr Nentawe in his remarks, thanked the APC for giving him the ticket to lead the party in the general elections.

The governorship candidate expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious in the 2023 governorship election.

(NAN)