Nwifuru of APC wins Ebonyi governorship election
Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
Right Honourable Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Declaring the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), State Headquarters in Abakaliki, Monday, the State Returning Officer, Prof Charles Igwe said Nwifuru garnered a total of 199131 votes cast across the 13 local governments of the state.
His closest Challenger, Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got a total of 80191 votes cast to place second.
The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA), Bernard Odoh place third with 52189 votes.
“I, Prof Charles Igwe, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer of the governorship election held on 18th March, 2023 in Ebonyi state.
“That Francis Nwifuru of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared winner and is returned elected”, he said
Prof Igwe, who is the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN) said the total valid votes was 342554 while 7387 votes were rejected bringing the total votes cast for the election to 349941.
Reacting to his victory, the governor-elect, Francis Nwifuru has thanked the people of Ebonyi state for entrusting their mandate to him for the next four years.
Nwifuru in his acceptance speech declared his unalloyed loyalty to the patriotic citizens of Ebonyi State for electing him and promised never to disappoint them.
He promised to consolidate on the aggressive infrastructural, human development and aggressive industrialization of the state from where the present administration of Governor David Umahi will stop.
He commended the Governor for the support and fatherly roles he has played in his emergence as the next governor of the state.
Nwifuru, who is the current Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly described his victory as a victory for equity and justice.
Nwifuru described the election as a reflection of the wishes of the people who have been resolute and desirous of consolidating on the already achieved development in the state.
Nwifuru also noted that the election was the best in terms of credibility and professionalism on both the sides of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all security agencies.
He commended his opponents for putting up a strong challenge adding that they are all winners.END//
Final Declaration of Ebonyi State Governorship Election as declared by State Collation Officer/ Returning Officer, Prof Charles Igwe, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN).
Registered voters- 1597646
Accredited 350345
AA 554
ADC 673
ADP 578
APC 199131
APGA 52189
APM 206
APP 99
LP 6793
NNPP 674
NRM 310
PDP 80191
SDP 126
YPP 280
TOTAL VALID VOTES 342554
REJECTED VOTES 7387
TOTAL VOTES CAST 349941
