2019: Former immigration boss, Paradang, is PDP candidate for Plateau Central senatorial district

From Ron Jacob, Jos
Mr David Paradang has emerged winner and candidate of PDP Plateau Central senatorial district in a keenly contested primary election held in Pankshin on Tuesday.
Paradang, a former NIS boss scored 422 out of 659 votes cast by the delegates from the five local government areas within the central zone: Mangu, Bokkos, Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam.
Our Correspondent reports that the result of the primaries was declared by Mr Mohamed Inusa-Ali, who described the primaries as “very transparent, peaceful, free and credible.’’
Inusa-Ali, who declared Parandang as the candidate nominated to fly the PDP flag in 2019 polls for the senatorial seat for the district, thanked the delegates and party officials for making the primaries a “huge success.’’
He gave the results of other contestants as follows; Prof Dakum Shown (35), Major Sati Gogwim (Rtd) (60), Istifanus Mwansat (78), Alexander Mwolwus (44) and Salama Dauda (15), while five votes were invalid.
In his acceptance speech, Paradang thanked the delegates for finding him worthy to represent them at the Senate by their votes that gave him victory at the primaries.
“I hereby wish to state to the hearing of all the delegates and party officials that are here that I gladly accept nomination as candidate to represent Plateau Central senatorial zone at the Senate.
“By God’s grace, I shall not fail the trust and confidence reposed in me today but give you the quality and purposeful representation expected of me, ’’ he pledged.
The former NIS boss called on all the other aspirants who contested with him to join hands with him in ensuring that PDP wins the 2019 polls at all levels in the state.
He explained, “my victory is victory for all, therefore we should all join hands in unity and collectively fight all opponents for the desired victory come 2019.’’.
The race for the senatorial seat began with nine aspirants, but at the end of the day two backed out of the race leaving the six to slug it out.