From Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
A university lecturer, Professor Anthony Okorie Ani, yesterday, emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the February 3 bye-election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi South Senatorial zone, Ebonyi State.
The position of Ebonyi South Senatorial seat became vacant following the resignation of Senator David Umahi who is now the Minister of Works.
There was a primary election by the APC in Afikpo, Afikpo Local Government Area of the state, the headquarters of the senatorial zone to elect a candidate that would fly the party’s ticket for the next month’s bye-election.
The Returning Officer, Dr Awode Akin Akinseyiwa, said a total of 285 voters were accredited for the primary with two voided votes. Ani scored 281 votes to emerge victorious.
“By the power conferred on me and the National Chairman of our party, I hereby declare Professor Okorie Ani as the senatorial candidate of Ebonyi South Senatorial zone,” Akinseyiwa said.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Obila lauded the peaceful conduct of the primary.
“We have demonstrated that we are people of Ebonyi State. Ebonyi State leads and others follow.
“You have seen what we have done today, we are one family. No fight, no rancour and no any quarrel here. We have all seen it here
“The election was just too peaceful, we delivered the rightful candidate,” she stated.
The state APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, described the primary as transparent, peaceful and credible.
He noted that the party looked at the pedigree of all those interested in the senatorial position and settled for Ani.
In his acceptance speech, Ani promised to bring good tidings to the south senatorial zone, the state and the nation.
He promised to align with the policies and programmes of the state and federal governments if elected a senator in the bye-election for effective representation.