By Daniel Dauda,Jos


A former speaker of Plateau state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. George Daika have been emerged flag of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the incoming Plateau South Senatorial District by-election slated for 31st October,2020.

 Daika, a former Governorship aspirant polled 434 votes, beating 3 other candidates to pick PDP ticket following a keenly contested primaries election held at Royal Comfort Hotel Shendam. 

Our correspondent observed that, Shendam Local Government Area which happens to be the headquarters of the southern zone Senatorial District hosted candidates, delegates and party faithfuls to a serene, calm and peaceful environment where the election was conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere. 

The runner up in the election who is also a former speaker of the Plateau state house of assembly Rt. Hon. Michael Dapianlong got 199 votes cast.Others are Barr. Philip Nyitni with 18 votes and Chrysantus Dawam with 5 votes. A total number of 4 invalid votes was recorded.

 However,a former two term member of the House of Representatives who represented Shendam/Qua'anPan/Mikang Federal Constituency from 1999-2007, Ja’afaru Damulak earlier stepped down for Crysantus Dawam.

The returning officer and primary election committee chairman, Sen. Mao Ohabunwan declared Daika the winner of the PDP primaries and accordingly returned him elected, having scored the highest number of votes and fulfilled all the requirements of the law.

Meanwhile, prior to the commencement of the election, the committee chairman assured candidates, delegates and party loyalists of a free,fair and transparent process,noting that  PDP is one family. 

He said "I hoped that at the end of the day, the best candidate would emerge to face other candidates of other political parties in the secondary election".

Rt. Hon. George Daika, whose political credentials spans through his sojourn to the Plateau state house of assembly rising to the position of speaker, to member representing Shendam/Quan-Pan/Mikang federal constituency in the house of representatives, member ECOWAS parliament and presently the senior legislative aide to the minority leader of the house of representatives has the academic don turned politician Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the main rival to face in the secondary election.