The Senator Representing Southern Taraba, Emmanuel Bwacha has emerged the winner of the APC Governorship primaries in Taraba State amidst controversy.
Senator Bwacha who was declared winner of the election by the Chairman of the Governorship primaries election committee, Lawrence Onochukwu pleaded with his co-contestants to join hands with him, to restore the lost glory of the State.
However, before the declaration of Senator Bwacha as the winner, the Committee Chairman Mr. Onochukwu had announced that elections did not hold due to some hitches.
“We were under duress to address the press that there was nothing like election,” Onuekwu told journalists on Friday before departing to Abuja.
In a press conference held after he was announced winner, Senator Bwacha highlighted his roadmap as APC flag-bearer in Taraba State.
He said; “I accept this offer from my party and pledge to work in harmony with those who contested with me. Let us close ranks and find a new roadmap for the APC which has long been in the opposition. I pray the indulgence of all in this contest to sheath their swords so that we would bring glory to the party.”
Senator Bwacha described himself as a “team player” and that he would reach out to every one of his co-contestants individually.
The Senator described Taraba as being at the precipice, saying “what we need to do is to work together to redefine governance and bring it closer to the people and then redefine the dignity of the Civil service which has fallen to its lowest ebb.”
Meanwhile, the aggrieved parties have insisted there was no election. In a press conference on Friday, one of the aspirants, Yusuf Yusuf, said no election had taken place and asked the APC National headquarters to intervene or they would take a decision.
Five APC aspirants in the governorship contest, Senator Yusuf Yusuf, David Kente, Anthony Manzo, Saleh Mamman and Professor Sani Yahaya as well as the Committee for Taraba governorship primaries were invited by the Taraba Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Shokoya on Thursday, to avert any breakdown of law and order.
They alleged election had not taken place, adding that the committee announced fake results.