Senator Adamu Aliero has been elected as the flag-bearer of People’s Democratic party (PDP) for Kebbi Central in the 2023 general elections.

Kebbi Central Senatorial District comprises Birnin Kebbi, Gwandu, Jega, Maiyama, Koko-Bese, Kalgo, Aliero and Bunza Local Government Areas of the state.

Declaring the winner shortly after the primary election held at the Event Centre, Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, the Returning Officer, Baba Lawal-Aliyu, said Mr Aliero polled 246 votes to defeat Haruna Sa’idu-Dan-diyo, who trailed behind with 15 votes, while three votes were found to be invalid.

Mr Lawal-Aliyu, who is also the acting chairman of the party’s electoral committee and committee’s substantive Secretary, said of the total 275 delegates from eight LGAs of Kebbi central, 268 delegates were accreditated.

He also said that of the total acredited delegates, only 264 delegates casted their votes, adding that Aliero was returned elected as the flag-bearer of the party.

“By the powers coffered on me as the acting Chairman and Secretary of electoral committee, I hereby declare Sen. Muhammadu Adamu Aliero as the winner of this primary election having scored the highest number of votes.

“Therefore, Sen. Aliero is returned elected as the flag-bearer of our great party, PDP for Kebbi Central Senatorial District,” he said.

The primary election was witnessed by INEC officials, party stakeholders, security agencies, journalists and party members. 

Mr Aliero told reporters shortly after his victory that he would carry all manner of people along if he eventually win the 2023 general election.

The lawmaker said his defection was a home coming, as he was a member of PDP in 2007, when he represented the area as a senator up to 2015 when he joined the APC.

Mr Aliero is a two term governor of Kebbi state, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a serving member of the red chamber of the National Assembly.

He was until recently a member of the All Progressives Congress. He however left the party when State Governor Atiku Bagudu denied him a return ticket of the party.

NAN