From Emmanuel Adeyemi, lokoja
A discreet opinion poll conducted for the five aspirants contesting under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party for the kabba- bunu/ ijumu House of Reps has favoured Otunba Michael Olaiya Olobatoke as the party’s standard bearer for the 2023 general election.
The opinion poll which was carried out randomly among party leaders , delegates, opinion leaders and political analysts both within and outside the two local governments that make up the federal constituency saw Otunba Olobatoke having an upper hand over the other four contestants.
The other contestants are Architect Idris Salman from Aiyegunle- gbedde in ijumu local governments, Okejuji Obatotoyinbo from Iyamoye also in ijumu local government, Oluwafemi Olumeyan from Akiutupa Kiri , and Yomi Bello both from kabba-bunu local government area with Michael Olaiya Olobatoke who emerged the winner.
It is learnt that a total of 258 delegates are expected to vote in the May 22 party primary which will take place at Olonijola event center along lokoja – kabba- highway at about 2pm
The delegates consist of 45 delegates each from the 15 wards of ijumu and kabba-bunu local government areas which total to 90 delegates plus 150 delegates from the local level and 18 EXCO members at the local government level including adhoc/ statutory delegates all totalling 258 delegates.
The random poll saw Olobatoke having the overall lead with 45% and having a slight edge over Salman who polled 40% , Olumeyan 7%, Bello 5% and Obatotoyinbo 3%.
The poll revealed that Olobatoke who is the youngest of the aspirants is generally accepted among the party leaders , youths and women in the two local government areas that make up the constituency.
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