By Okechukwu Jombo
Professor Uche Ikonne,Pastor Umo Eno,Titus Uba,Francis Sherif Oborevwori and Seyi Makinde have all won the 2023 Governorship Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP for Abia, Akwa Ibom.Benue,Delta and Oyo States respectively
These results were some of the outcomes of the primaries that took place across the country yesterday.
Also in Enugu state a lawyer and financial analyst, Mr. Peter Mbah emerged the PDP governorship candidate for the 2023 general election in Enugu State.
Mbah, former Chief of Staff to then Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, emerged victorious during the party’s primary election conducted on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu.
He scored 790 votes to defeat other aspirants in the election.
He was also a former Commissioner for finance under the same Chimaroke’s then administration.
The PDP Enugu Guber Primary Election Panel from the National Working Committee of the Party was led by Senator Ambuno Zik Sunday.
Chikwado Chukwuka and Senator Ike Ekweremadu got one vote each. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa polled three votes, while Chijioke Edoga garnered nine votes to come second in the election.
Earlier on Wednesday the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Captain Everest Nnaji and Joseph Onoh all withdrew from the race.
Shortly before voting commenced, nine other aspirants pulled out from the race, saying they were now supporting Peter Mbah, who is the choice of the power brokers in the State.
The aspirants made the announcement individually at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, venue of the primary election.
They include: Abraham Onyishi, Tochukwu Ude, Erasmus Anike, Nwabueze Ugwu, Rev. Ralph Nwoye, Prof. Jehu Nnaji, Beloved Dan Anike and Gabriel Ajah.
Just yesterday, a former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo revealed that Mbah was the popular choice to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
This has now been confirmed with the turnout of events at the primary election.
In Benue state the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Titus Uba emerged the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the State.
Uba won the ticket to represent the party in the 2023 polls in a keenly-contested election held at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi on Thursday.
The Speaker won 21 out of the 23 LGAs in the state.
His closest challenger, Benson Abounu won in Otukpo and Ogbadibo LGAs.
Makinde defeated Hazeem Gbolarumi, who was his only opponent in the primaries held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Announcing the results of the election, the secretary of the PDP Electoral Committee, Abdullahi MaiBasira, said that 1,048 delegates were accredited to vote out of 1,086 delegates.
Mr MaiBasira said Mr Makinde scored 1,040 votes to defeat Mr Gbolarumi, who scored only two votes; adding that six votes were voided.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Makinde thanked all the delegates for finding him worthy to be the party’s flag bearer in the 2023 general elections.
