By Adadainfo
Engr David Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi State, Sunday, won the senatorial primary of Ebonyi South senatorial district after a rerun.
The rerun held on Sunday in Afikpo North LGA headquarters. Dave Umahi scored 250 votes. Names of other contestants are yet to be seen.
Recall that Gov Umahi’s brother, Augustine, won the first primary, and withdrew to give way for Gov Umahi to take the position.
INEC excluded Umahi in the list of senatorial candidates in the state. He went to court, and the judgement did not favour him.
Hon Justice Riman of the Federal High Court, Abakaliki, warned that Gov Umahi risks two years’ jail term should he appeal.
Mrs Ann Agom-Eze came second in primary. She said she joined the suit as ‘it concerned me’.
The court ruled that Umahi was not qualified, having not participated in the first primary.
Agom-Eze had appealed the inclusion of Umahi in the rerun. She sought the court not to grant a rerun, adding that she would not be part of the rerun today.
She said with the voluntary withdrawal of Chief Augustine Umahi, she remained the bonafide candidate of the party for the senatorial election.
Prof Emmanuel Adebayo, leader of APC’s national committee to the primary, declared the governor winner.
Adebayo announced that the governor won the contest with 250 votes while his younger brother Austin, polled 10 votes.
He said, “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.”
Umahi in his acceptance speech said, “APC is rooted in Ebonyi and will surely sweep the electoral stakes at the 2023 general elections.”
