The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army, General Sarkin Yarki Bello, as the governorship candidate of PDP in Kebbi State.

Also, stakeholders of the PDP in the Orumba North and South federal constituency in Anambra State have urged PDP to ensure the respect of the zoning arrangement in the choice of the party’s flag bearer for the House of Representatives in the forth coming National Assembly election slated to take place February 14, 2015. They warned that any attempt to manipulate or change the name of the winner of the December 7, primaries, would be resisted.

Major-Gen. Sarkin Yarki Bello (rtd), a nominee of Governor Saidu Dakingari, who earlier emerged the winner of the Kebbi State governorship primary election, was ratified at a meeting hosted by the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, where others who contested against him officially stepped down for Bello. His name would be submitted alongside with other governorship candidates of the PDP.

Bello is a prince, who dropped his princely-robes and all the privileges to become a true soldier’s soldier and a first class intelligence infantry officer.

A trained lawyer, Bello, as the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, was famous for bringing to an end the infamous reign of a notorious kidnapper, ‘Osisikankwu’

Bello went on to become a Military Attaché’ to Nigeria’s Embassy in Washington DC, later became the Military assistant to the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Bamaiyi (rtd.).

In Anambra state, stakeholders of the PDP in the Orumba North and South federal constituency have urged the party to ensure that the zoning arrangement that rotates between Orumba North and Orumba South is maintained.

In a statement signed by Nze Godwin IK Nwosu, Hon. Chukwudi Umeaba and Mrs. Callister Orizu, the stakeholders said: “There is a written zoning agreement between the two local government areas on who represents them at the House of Representatives by the leaders of Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas on November 12, 2006, before Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

They said in line with the agreement in 2007, Orumba north had the first shot while in 2011; Ben Nwankwo from Orumba South Local Government Area was elected.

“Nwankwo made open declarations on December 28, 2013, and April 21, 2014, among others and also made written declarations to the effect that the Zoning agreement witnessed by him and others should be respected. He undertook not to contest House of Reps in 2015.”

The stakeholders said that Nwankwo is challenging the arrangement that benefited him in 2011, explaining that it was unfair that when the primary election did not favour him but did to Handel Okoli.

In view of this, the stakeholders warned: “Therefore any attempt by PDP or any other party to field a candidate for House of Representatives other than Okoli, who came second in the primary and from Orumba South will be resisted by all Orumba people. We therefore warn Hon.  Nwankwo, the winner to desist from further insulting the personality of Dr. Alex Ekwueme (GCON). We also warn that any attempt to incite anybody in the constituency will be resisted within the ambits of the law.

In Delta State, PDP National Working Committee (NWC) is in dilemma over whom to submit its name. The Delta North National Assembly primaries ended in fiasco, as supporters of the former state Chairman, Tony Nwaoboshi, clashed with supporters of Dr. Mariam Ali. The congress was declared in conclusive.

The congresses in Ebonyi, Anambra, Zamfara, Enugu and Imo States were held under controversial circumstances and the NWC is expected to take a final decision that would be binding on all members of the party.

Also, Adamawa State stakeholders of PDP are still protesting the outcome of the governorship primary in the state as well as the National Assembly Primary that took place in Abuja instead of Yola, the state capital.

In Imo State, the situation was so confusing as the aspirant in the Owerri Federal Constituency, who was winning as at the time of vote cast was not registered as an aspirant, yet he scored the highest vote cast.

INEC report confirmed that the name of the leading aspirant was not part of those authenticated and cleared to contest the election. The NWC, THISDAY was told, is expected to make a decision out of the eight aspirants that stood for the primary election.