Donald Duke wins SDP presidential primary as party beats INEC deadline

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Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, has emerged as the Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the 2019 general election as the window for submission of candidates closes later today.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Sunday October 7 as deadline for all political parties to submit their list of candidates.

The former governor polled 812 votes to defeat his close rival and former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, who polled 611 votes at the party’s National Convention held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

Returning Officer of the convention, Dr. Abdul Isiaq, declaring the results of the presidential primary election earlier today, said Mr. John Dara, former Special Assistant to Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, former Defence Minister, scored 104 votes while former Ambassador and former Minister, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher polled 72 votes; former Ambassador, Felix Osakwe scored 10 votes, while the number of invalid votes were 63.

The winner, in his acceptance speech, described his emergence as collective victory for all aspirants that participated in the contest, as well for the party and the nation promiding to sell the psrty and its principles across Nigeria.

He however asked for the support the party and Nigerians to win 2019 general election.

“We will reawaken in Nigerians that yearning that we are destined to be, but we cannot do this alone,” he said.

According to Duke, “What divides us is inadequacy and wants, because in the face of this survival of the fittest comes in, which ought not to be so because there is more than enough for everyone, this is what good governance is all about and that is what I stand for.”

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