The Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday conducted primary elections to elect candidates for the House of Representatives and state assembly elections in 2023 in Abia State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the poll, which took place under stiff security, was rancour-free in the areas monitored.
It, however, took place several hours behind schedule in many centres.
In Umuahia South, it was scheduled to begin by 9am, but could not start until about 2:45pm.
For Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, emerged winner.
Orji polled 86 votes to defeat five other contestants and his closest rival, Obi Aguocha, scored eight votes.
Chidebere Nwachukwu, John Nwadinobi, John Ndubuisi and Kelechi Onuzuruike polled two, two, one and nil votes respectively.
The Election Committee Chairman, Tony Mezie, said that 99 delegates took part in the exercise.
For the House of Assembly, a cleric, Ugochukwu Uchegbu, won the ticket for Umuahia Central State Constituency.
Uchegbu defeated eight other contestants in a three ad-hoc delegates per ward election that had 10 delegates.
In a post-election speech, a visibly elated Uchegbu thanked God for his emergence and hailed the entire process as “peaceful and most transparent”.
He said: “This is just a step.
“It is a motivation.
“There is no vanquished.
“My co-contestants have congratulated me and I urge them to support me as we move on.”
One of the contestants, Chief Jude Ndukwe, however, expressed concern over the party’s adoption of three ad-hoc delegates for the indirect primaries.
Also, the lawmaker representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Chief Jerry Uzosike, clinched the ticket for his re-election bid.
Uzosike described the outcome of the election as the voice of the people of Umuahia South.
He said: “Umuahia South people through the votes have voted for good governance, good service and good representation.
“I want to thank the youths, stakeholders and people of Umuahia for their support and God Almighty for this victory.
“My constituents should expect more from me in the years ahead and I welcome my opponents to join me in building the constituency.”
The Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Humphrey Chukwudi, described the election as peaceful and transparent.
The Youth Leader of Nsirimo Ward, Malachy Nwagwu, said that the election played a vital role in ensuring that credible individuals were given an opportunity to run for political positions.
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