In a keenly contested election, son of a former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Folorunsho Olafemi, has emerged winner of the House of Representatives primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Yagba federal constituency, after defeating former Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo.
He was announced winner after the exercise in Isanlu on Friday.
Folorunsho Olafemi polled 76 delegate votes to defeat his closest rival, Kingsley Fanwo who polled 72 votes.
Both Fanwo and Olafemi are from Mopamuro local government area of the state.
Reacting, Kingsley Fanwo in a statement he personally signed Saturday, accepted the defeat while congratulating his opponent over the outcome of the election.
“Let me start by thanking my boss, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello for giving me the opportunity to take a shot at the Federal House of Representatives. I also appreciate all my supporters and supporters of our great party.
“I also thank all my leaders in Government for their show of solidarity.
“To all leaders and members of the KFF Foundation, I say a big thank you to all. We shall continue to serve humanity to prove that our developmental strides were not borne out of political gains.
“After the claims and counter claims of yesterday, the party has upheld the result as announced by the Returning Officer.
“As a disciplined party man, I accept the decision and also congratulate the winner and all that participated in the process.
“We won in both Mopamuro and Yagba West. I thank their leaders. We lost heavily in Yagba East. I thank their leaders.
“In all of these, I reserve a special place in my heart for a special brother, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Students’ Affairs. You are the unseen hero.
“I wouldn’t want my supporters to be disappointed. It was a good fight and our heads are up there.
“We are proud of the result we recorded despite all that transpired.
“My conviction to contest was borne out of the fact that Amuro should produce the next House of Representatives Member in the spirit of fairness and justice. We have no regret for that decision.
“With the primaries over, our party must focus on healing and Reconciliation,” Fanwo said.