By Musa Tanimu Nasidi.
The Kogi State Chairman of KOWA Party, Chief Ben Kpanachi has emerged the State Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP.
The emergence of Kpanachi today laid to rest months of horse-trading over who would replace the outgoing chairman, Hon. Abubakar Ibrahim Abdani, whose tenure expired early this month.
Chief Kpanachi, until today’s victory was the state Vice Chairman of CNPP. He emerged after he defeated two other contestants. He garnered 11 votes to defeat Ibrahim Itodo who polled 7 votes, while Frank Kato got 1 vote.
Hon. Haruna Yakubu won the election for the position of secretary with 13votes. Hajiya Aishat Abdulsalm was affirmed as the Vice Chairman.
Other members of the newly elected executives includes Hon Elias Badaga,Treasurer; Yusuf Nagari, Organising Secretary; and Aboh Samuel, Assistant Secretary.
Also elected are; Mrs Grace Kpanachi,Welfare officer; Baba Abdulmalik, Auditor; and Stephen Toba, Provost.
Addressing delegates earlier, the outgoing Chairman of CNPP, Hon Abubakar Ibrahim Abdani, thanked all the political parties in the state for given him the opportunity to serve. He urged all the constants to embrace peace.
“We need to unite if we are to achieve our aim of installing a government of the people. As a Democrat, today will go down in history as a day the CNPP under my leadership is organising a free and fair election”, he explained.
The National Chairman of Alliance for Democracy, AD, Hon. Joseph Abazi, commended the outgoing chairman and appealed to all the contestants to accept the outcome of the election and reconcile with the warring faction of CNPP in the state.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Kpanachi thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed on him and assured them of his readiness to operate an all inclusive administration.
The election was witnessed by INEC representative, security agents and journalists and observers from across the three senatorial districts.
