The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has elected Engr. Deji Doherty as chairman of the party after garnering 27 votes to defeat his closest rival, Omotanwa Kudirat, who polled 21 votes in an election conducted by Senator Ben Obi-led three-man committee from the National Working Committee (NWC).
The election was conducted barely 24-hours after some members of the party in the state secured a court injunction from a Lagos High Court ordering all parties in the suit to maintain the status quo ahead of the proposed special election.
According to Senator Obi, the election had 68 delegates approved by NWC of the party but only 45 delegates voted at the election which took place at L’eola hotel, Maryland.
Apart from Obi, members of the three-man committee included Muktar Ahmed, as secretary and Senator Biodun Olujimi, member, who was unavoidably absent, because she was engaged with her swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday at the Senate, having got Appeal Court judgement in her favour.
The election, which was conducted for the purpose of filing eight state vacant positions and two local government chairmen positions started with the accreditation of delegates and supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where three candidates contested for the position of chairman, with Doherty garnering 27 votes to emerge winner, while Omotanwa Kudirat, scored 21 votes to come second.
Adejumo Ajegbe was disqualified for failure to have resigned his position as Assistant State vice chairman, Lagos West senatorial zone, seven days before the election.
Other positions contested for, included, vice chairman central senatorial district, State Organizing Secretary, Assistant State Organizing Secretary, State Legal Adviser, Assistant State Legal Adviser, Assistant State Secretary, Assistant State Publicity Secretary and Chairmen for Apapa and Badagry Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Three positions, State legal Adviser contested by Muyideen Tejumade, Olalekan Akeem for Assistant State legal Adviser and Adeniyi Ademola Rotimi, for Assistant State Organizing Secretary, were unanimously returned elected.
Other winners at the election included Akojemu Bidemi Florence for chairman Badagry LGA, who scored 38 votes, Kolawole Mike, for Apapa LGA 41 votes, Amode Akeem for State Organizing Secretary, garnered 34 votes, Showole Olusegun Jubril, Vice Chairman Central Senatorial District, had 34 votes, Assistant State Secretary, Olayinka Dada scored 37 votes
