Umahi emerges APC senatorial candidate in fresh primary despite court dismissal

Governor David Umahi on Sunday defeated his younger brother, Austin, and three other contestants to win the re-run All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Ebonyi south senatorial district.

Emmanuel Adebayo, leader of APC’s national committee for the primary, declared the governor winner at the end of the exercise held at the Afikpo North Local Government Council headquarters.

Mr Adebayo announced that the governor won the contest with 250 votes while his younger brother, Austin, polled 10.

“Mrs Elizabeth Chukwu polled five votes; Mrs Magareth Ibiam got three votes, while Mrs Ann Agom-Eze scored zero votes.

“Total number of votes cast were 275; total valid votes were 268, while invalid votes were seven,’’ he announced.

Mr Umahi, in his acceptance speech commended the committee for conducting a peaceful and credible primary election, noting that the APC has transparency and credibility as its watchwords.

“APC is rooted in Ebonyi and will surely sweep the electoral stakes at the 2023 general elections,’’ the governor assured.

On July 22, the Federal High Court in Abakaliki dismissed a suit filed by Mr Umahi, seeking it to recognise him as the APC’s candidate for the senatorial district.

The court instead recognised Mrs Agom-Eze, who placed second at the May 28 primary election, as the candidate but ordered a rerun of the election within 14 days. 

(NAN)