Ebonyi Opposition Parties In Chaos As Factional Candidates Emerge Ahead Feb 3 Senatorial By-Election
From Oko OMAKA (Abakaliki)
The leading opposition parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), in Ebonyi state seem to be in total chaos as factional candidates have emerged from various primaries ahead of February 3, 2024 Southern senatorial election.
The various political parties had conducted their primaries at various locations in Afikpo local engorgement area to elect their candidates following the elevation of former Governor Dave Umahi as minister of works and subsequent declaration of the seat vacant by INEC.
In PDP, the former chairman of PDP, Barr. Silas Onu, emerged winner of the party's primary bye-election committee headed by Mr Lekan Rotimi, and polled a total of 143 votes to defeat his only opponent, Sen. Ama Nnachi who scored zero votes in the election.
Rotimi, who declared the result after the voting noted that the exercise complied with the party's laid down guidelines and extant electoral law, adjudging it as credible, free and fair.
"Chief 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.
"A total of 144 delegates were accredited to vote in the election, with one invalid vote recorded," he said.
Rotimi said that relevant security agencies agencies including the Department of State Security (DSS), Police, Civil Defence and army, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), monitored the election.
He also dismissed allegations of parallel primary election in any part of the zone saying that his committee remained the only committee mandated by the national party secretariat to conduct the election in the zone.
"I'm not aware of any other congress going on anywhere, like I said, I have told you my name and my committee members and we are the only people sent to conduct the election from Abuja," he added.
Onu in an acceptance speech thanked the delegates and party members from the Ebonyi South Senatorial zone for entrusting him with their mandate promising to deliver at the main election.
"We do not have a divided house; you see what happened here today the election was held peacefully, sadly, one of the local government areas delegates didn't participate though every arrangement was made for all delegates to be here.
" We still thanked God. Delegates from the Four local government areas out of five LGAs participated and God has favoured us. We have work to do, we have less than three weeks to the election and what we need to do is to put our house in order and we have no option than to win this senatorial election and together we will," Onu said.
In another primary, the Peoples Democratic Party endorsed Sen. Micheal Amah-Nnachi for the forthcoming Ebonyi South senatorial re-run.
In a statement signed and issued by the Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 elections, Sen. Paulinus Igwenwagu, observed Amah-Nnachi had strong leadership qualities and large followership.
The statement read in part, “The Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii greets our dear party members and commends our teeming members for their steadfastness and support to the progress of our party and great party and especially the good people of Ebonyi South Senatorial District.
“Let me reiterate firmly the resolution of the our great party to support our candidate, Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi for the forthcoming bye-election in Ebonyi South Senatorial District. This position premised upon the fact that he remains our best foot forward; Sen. Nnachi as our candidate in the 2023 general elections despite the evil machinations, violence against our people and gang-up against our great party stood firm and strong throughout the electioneering process, and he stood firm with our party throughout the judicial processes till date. Also, Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi remains our candidate in line with the well-thought zoning arrangement of our great, the PDP as agreed by our stakeholders.
“Today, being January 8, 2024 our delegates in Ebonyi South Senatorial District will once again affirm the choice of our great party, Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi as the candidate of our great party for the scheduled bye-election for Ebonyi South Senatorial District.
“It is important that our teeming members understand that it is still the same election and therefore, there is no need changing our best for the election.
Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi remains the candidate of the PDP for Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate for the February 3, 2024 bye-election.
“As we thank our dear teeming members and supporters for their steadfastness, dedicated support and firm belief in our dear party, we urge all members of the party to unite in pursuit of this imminent victory as Sen Amah-Nnachi remains the strongest candidate for our dear party.With Distinguished Senator Amah-Nnachi our dear party stands the strongest chance to reclaim our stolen Senate mandate in Ebonyi South Senatorial District.”
Similarly, LP also conducted parallel primaries for Ebonyi South Senatorial district by-election.
Linus Abaa Okorie and Mr. Abuson Nwabueze have emerged candidates.
