Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
Abia Senatorial Primaries: Ikpeazu, Akobundu win
…Abia North inconclusive, marred by violence
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and a former National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Austin Akobundu, on Tuesday, recorded landslide victories in the Abia South and Abia Central Senatorial primary elections of the PDP, respectively.
While Ikpeazu clinched the Abia South Senatorial ticket unopposed, to replace his brother, the Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in the red chambers of the National Assembly, if he finally wins the 2023 senatorial election in the zone, Akobundu won in Abia Central with 186 votes.
Both have emerged the candidates of PDP for the 2023 senatorial elections in their senatorial zones. Reports said that Ikpeazu won all the 198 votes cast by delegates.
Declaring the result of the Abia South Senatorial primary election held at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, the Returning Officer who is also a former PDP State Chairman, Chief Ndidi Okereke, disclosed that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was the sole aspirant for the position and congratulated the Governor on his emergence, just as he thanked the delegates for conducting themselves orderly during the exercise.
Basking in the euphoria of his victory, Ikpeazu, while addressing newsmen, assured that the fortunes of Abia South people would change for better. He said he would ensure that the interest of the people of Abia South would be protected, including that of the women and the youths.
He promised that he would serve the people with diligence and contribute greatly in the development of Nigeria through lawmaking.
At the Umuahia Township Stradium, Col. Austin Akobundu (Rtd.), was returned as the PDP candidate for the Abia Central Senatorial primary election, having polled 186 votes to defeat his two challengers who got one vote each. The other aspirants were Chief Chuku Wachuku (who was rumoured to have withdrawn/stepped down for Akobundu) and Engr. Ugwuzor Ihuoma Chukwuemeka.
Vice Chairman of Abia PDP, Hon Abraham Amah, announced the result of the Abia Central Senatorial primary election, having served as the Returning Officer,
However, reports just reaching The Oracle Today from Ohafia, venue for the Abia North Senatorial Primary election, said the exercise ended in fiasco as it was marred by violence
A source told the Oracle Today that primary election which was between Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, who is striving to return to the Senate after he was knocked off in the 2019 general election by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; and the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Uko Nkole, who wants to upgrade from the Green to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, was marred by violence characterized by fierce clashes, forcing both delegates and aspirants to scamper in different directions for safety. As at Press time, no official statement has been issued by the party in the state.
