Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri
A former Senator who represented Imo West Senatorial district, Osita Izunaso, last Saturday, won the All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo West Senatorial ticket with 589 votes, a seat currently occupied by a former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.
He was declared the winner after defeating his closest rival, Greg Mbadiwe, who got 41 votes, at the senatorial primaries in the state.
Okorocha who is the Senator representing Imo West at the National Assembly, is among the presidential aspirants under the All Progressives Congress, APC, aspiring to replace President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2023.
In another development, a business mogul, Alex Mbata, has won the Imo East Senatorial ticket. He defeated the Ondo First Lady, Betty Akeredolu, who after the primaries on Sunday issued a withdrawal letter from the Senate race.
Mbata, polled 425 votes to beat his closest rival, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu who scored 21 votes, as well as Jerry Chukwueke and Kemdi Opara who had 14 and three votes respectively. Eight other votes were recorded as void.
In her withdrawal letter, the Ondo First Lady said: “I wish to declare my decision to withdraw from the Senatorial Primaries of the Imo East Senatorial zone. This decision has become necessary following brazen irregularities, use of force and intimidation meted out on my person and supporters.
“I have received reliable information that arrangements have been concluded by some high authorities within the party to scheme the whole process in favour of a particular candidate. Delegates are being harassed and intimidated to comply with this directive.”
“I believe in free and fair elections, equity and level playing ground. The circumstances that have shrouded events preceding this primary have proven to be far from these ideals which I hold so dearly. It is expedient therefore for me to withdraw from this race which I believe is also in the interest of the party in the state,” Akeredolu said.
