Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Anthony Okorie Ani on Saturday emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the Ebonyi South senatorial bye-election in February.
He was the only candidate for the primaries.
Chairman of the electoral panel, Akin Akinsehinwa, announced the result of the primary election.
The primary held in Afikpo Local Government Area on Saturday.
He said that Mr Ani garnered 281 votes out of a total of 285 votes cast.
Mr Akinsehinwa noted that four of the votes were declared invalid.
Mr Ani is a professor at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State.
He hails from Onicha Local Government Area of the state.
The seat became vacant following the appointment of Senator David Umahi as Minister by President Bola Tinubu.
The Senatorial bye-election is scheduled for February 3, 2024.
Ani was selected as the consensus choice after a stakeholders’ meeting in Ebonyi South Senatorial zone.
This led to the withdrawal of Mr Austin Umahi, younger brother to the Minister of Works, David Umahi from the Senatorial race.
State Chairman of APC, Stanley Emegha, noted that Ani’s election was a collective decision made within the party.
“We critically analysed those who are fit and chose him based on his pedigree. The election was a family affair and a family is like an empire which you should build well to succeed.
“The APC listens to the voices of the masses and hearkens to their calls to subsequently do what they want,” the APC chairman said.
Professor Ani said his choice for the position was like a dream for him.
He thanked the party leadership for adopting him as the choice candidate.
He promised to key into the policies of the Federal and Ebonyi State governments to connect with the people.
