The Chairman of the Election Committee and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, declared the lawmaker the winner on Saturday after he defeated three other aspirants in the exercise held in Osogbo, the state capital.

Delegates at the primary, however, demanded a recount of the ballot papers but Governor Dickson reportedly declined the request.

Having won the PDP ticket, Senator Adeleke would contend with Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as candidates of other political parties in the September 22 governorship election. Senator Adeleke polled a total of 1,569 votes to beat his closest rival Dr Akin Ogunbiyi who scored 1,562 votes.

About 3,000 delegates from various wards across the local government areas of the state participated in the exercise.

Eleven aspirants had indicated interest to represent the party in September, but seven of the candidates later pulled out.

They include a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adejare Bello, Professor Adeolu Durotoye, Jide Adeniji, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Ayoade Adewopo, Lere Oyewumi and Felix Ogunwale.

The aspirants said they resolved to withdraw to ensure stronger bond within the party, and because of the appeals from PDP leaders.

Senator Adeleke consequently beat Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, as well as Fatai Akinbade and Nathaniel Oke to emerge the winner of the primary.

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