News
ENUGU PDP PRIMARIES: Ekweremadu, Chimaroke, Utazi wins PDP Senatorial Tickets
ENUGU WEST
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has picked the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for the Enugu West Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections.
TRANSPARENCY: Ikeoha all the way as ballots sorting gets underway at the PDP primary election for Enugu West senatorial seat pic.twitter.com/cN2EJMzdt7
— Ike Ekweremadu (@iamekweremadu) October 2, 2018
In the senatorial primary conducted at the Enugu-West zonal headquarters, Awgu, on Tuesday, Ekweremadu polled 690 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr. Isaac Okah, who garnered 84 votes.
Another aspirant, Mr. Ogochukwu Onyema, polled 61 votes to come third, while Mr. Uche Onyekwelu and Mr. Oscar Egwuonwu polled 22 votes and five votes, respectively.
In his acceptance speech, Ekweremadu declared the primary election as “the best in the country and an example of a free, fair and credible election.”
He praised his co-contestants for joining the race, noting that he had absolutely nothing against those who contested against him.
The Deputy Senate President said, “This is the true spirit of democracy and, as a person, I like peaceful contests.
“I salute and urge them to join hands with me to ensure that the PDP works as a family to win the main election and continue to deliver quality representation to our people.
“I will continue to be fair and equitable to all.”
ENUGU EAST
A bid by Senator Gilbert Nnaji to return to the Senate in 2019 suffered a setback on Tuesday.
This is as a former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani polled majority of the votes cast in Nkanu West, venue of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial primary for Enugu West Senatorial Zone.
While Chimaroke scored 597 votes, Nnaji came distant second with 69 votes.
The election was conducted amidst tight security, which witnessed the presence of the Enugu State Police Commissioner and other top security operatives.
There was tension as it took nearly three hours before the five aspirants eventually gave their consent for the votes to be counted.
ENUGU NORTH
Senator Chukwuka Utazi won the Enugu North senatorial zone ticket.
Utazi, the incumbent senator representing Enugu North and chairman of Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption was elected at the Enugu North PDP Senatorial Primary, held in the premises of Government Field Nsukka.
Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwatu, the returning officer who declared Utazi as the winner, described the election as free and fair.
