From Emmanuel Adeyemi, lokoja.
Otunba Michael Olaiya Olobatoke.
A discreet opinion poll has been 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 elections.
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 upper hand over the other four contestants.
The other contestants are: Architect Idris Salman from Aiyegunle- gbedde in ijumu local government area, Okejuji Obatotoyinbo from Iyamoye also in ijumu local government area, Oluwafemi Olumeyan from Akiutupa Kiri , and Yomi Bello both from kabba-bunu local government area with Michael Olaiya Olobatoke who emerged the winner.
Our Correspondent 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 2p.m.
The exercise consists of 45 delegates each from the 15 wards of ijumu and kabba-bunu local government areas, totalling 90 delegates plus 150 delegates from the local level and 18 EXCO members at the local government level. This includes 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.
