Kukute emerges PDP’s candidate for Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency by-election

IGBOKODA – The PDP in Ondo State on Saturday elected Mr Adewale Kukute as its candidate for the forthcoming Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency by-election slated for April 5.

INEC had declared the seat vacant following the death of Mr Raphael Nomiye, who had been representing the constituency.

Nomiye, 50, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party, died on Nov. 23, 2013 in his residence in Abuja.

Although PDP had agreed on Kukute as consensus candidate, the party held a primary at Igbokoda in Ilaje LGA to formalise his nomination.

Kukute, a former board member of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), had 79 votes while seven delegates abstained.

In his remarks, the party candidate in the Oct. 20, 2012 governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke, said the primary was conducted to formalise the nomination of the candidate.

“We are assuring the candidate that our party will win the by-election. INEC has assured us that it will be free and fair, and that it will be a reflection of what to expect in 2015’’, Oke said.

Also, Mr Ebenezer Alabi, Chairman of the party in the state, commended the delegates for the peaceful conduct of the primary.

“This is the stronghold of PDP in Ondo State. I believe INEC will be very transparent and the security agents will be up to their task. With all this in place, we are winning this election’’, Alabi said.

Responding, Kukute commended the party for electing him as its candidate and promised to work toward securing victory at the poll. (NAN)