Umahi defeats brother, three others at Ebonyi South senatorial re-run primary

Ohanaeze backs him, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi for Senate
The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, yesterday, defeated his younger brother, Austin and three other contestants to win the re-run All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

Prof. Emmanuel Adebayo, leader of APC’s national committee to the primary, declared the governor winner at the end of the exercise held at the Afikpo North Local Council headquarters.

Adebayo announced that Umahi won the contest with 250 votes while his younger brother polled 10 votes.

“Mrs. Elizabeth Chukwu polled five votes; Mrs. Magareth Ibiam got three votes, while Mrs. Ann Agom-Eze scored zero votes.

“Total number of votes cast were 275; total valid votes were 268, while invalid votes were seven,’’ he announced.

Umahi, in his acceptance speech, commended the committee for conducting a peaceful and credible primary election, noting that APC has transparency and credibility as its watchwords.

“APC is rooted in Ebonyi and will surely sweep the electoral stakes at the 2023 general elections,’’ the governor assured.

On July 22, a Federal High Court in Abakaliki dismissed a suit filed by Umahi praying for his recognition as the APC’s candidate for the senatorial district.

The court, instead, recognised Mrs. Ann Agom-Eze, who came second at the May 28 primary election as the candidate but ordered a re-run of the election within 14 days.

OHANAEZE Ndigbo, yesterday, said that it is backing the Senatorial ambition of Umahi, as well as his Enugu and Abia states counterparts, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, respectively, noting that they would make Igbo proud at the Senate chamber.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, urged the people to reward them for their excellent accomplishments in their states, noting that apart from being political leaders from the zone, they have paid their dues.