Former Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Silas Onu, yesterday, emerged the party’s senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South senatorial election slated for February 3, after winning the party’s primary by-election.
The election, which was held at the party’s secretariat at Afikpo, in Afikpo North Local Council, was to fill the seat left by former Senate Majority Leader, Dave Umahi, who was appointed Minister of Works by the President Bola Tinubu.
The former chairman polled a total of 143 votes to defeat his only opponent, Amah Nnachi, who scored zero votes in the election, which was considered credible, free, and fair by PDP supporters.
Declaring the result, the Chairman of the primary by-election committee, Lekan Rotimi, noted that the exercise complied with the party’s laid down guidelines and extant electoral law. He commended delegates for being peaceful throughout the election.
He said: “Silas Onu, having complied with the relevant electoral law and the PDP primary election guideline; and having won the majority lawful votes, is, hereby, declared the winner and returned elected as the PDP candidate for the Ebonyi South Senatorial District election.”
Rotimi, while dismissing allegations of parallel primary election in any part of the zone, noted that security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, Civil Defence and army, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), monitored the election.
Meanwhile, Onu, in an acceptance speech, thanked delegates and party members from the zone for entrusting him with their mandate, promising to deliver at the main election.
He said: “We do not have a divided house. The election was held peacefully. Sadly, one of the local council delegates didn’t participate. Though every arrangement was made for all delegates to be here.”
