Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Former Governor Sam Egwu has won the Ebonyi North Senatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr. Egwu, who is the current senator representing the zone, was elected by delegates in an election that took place at the State secretariat of the party on Sunday night.
He garnered 163 votes out of 163 votes cast by delegates to defeat his opponents, Mbam Chikodiri Ojemba and Emeka Otozi.
Mr. Egwu was declared winner by the Returning Officer, Mudi Irhenede.
Reacting, Senator Egwu said he was impressed by the transparent nature of the exercise.
He thanked the National and State Working Committees of the PDP, security agents and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for a job well done.
While appreciating the delegates and other stakeholders for finding him worthy of their votes, Egwu promised never to disappoint them at the Senate if returned to the Senate in 2023.
He promised to work with all including his opponents to move Ebonyi forward.
Meanwhile, a statement by the party’s Spokesperson, Nwoba Chika Nwoba said that another incumbent Senator, Michael Nnachi also clinched the party’s ticket for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone.
He won 152 votes to defeat other contestants who are Batholomew Olughu 1 vote), and Linus Okorie (1 vote).
The returning officer, Ifeanyi Nworie declared Mr. Ama Nnachi the winner of the election which took place in Afikpo North local government.
In Ebonyi Central, Mr. Laz Ogbee, a former Member House of Representatives, clinched the senatorial ticket with 153 votes.
Other aspirants included former Minister for Culture and Tourism, Amb Frank Ogbuewu who garnered four votes, Amb Lawrence Nwuruku who got 3 votes, Mr. Tobias Chukwu who got 1 vote and Hyginus Nwokwu who got 1 vote.
Mr. Egwu will slug it out for the Senatorial seat with Former Commissioner for Ministry of Capital City Development, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, who won the APC senatorial primaries last week.
Senator Nnachi will face a more difficult battle as he goes against Mr. Austin Umahi, the younger brother of Governor David Umahi, who is the APC candidate.
In Ebonyi Central, Mr. Ogbee will slug it out with the Chairman of Ezza South local government, Ken Eze who won the APC ticket for the position.
Mr. Nwoba in the statement revealed the name of those who will be flying the party’s flag for the six House of Representatives positions.
They include: Vitalis Nwanne(Ikwo/ Ezaa South), Idu Igariweh (Afikpo North/ South) and Jerry Obasi (Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo).
Others are: Victor Aleke (Ebonyi/Ojukwu), Obinna Nwachukwu (Ezza North/Íshí elu) and Mr. Barnabas Ofoke (Abakaliki/Izii).
The primaries held despite the reported cancellation of the exercise by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party midway into the exercise on Sunday.
