Engr Humphrey Chukwudi Benson, has been declared winner for the Umuahia South PDP Chairmanship Primary Election,to become the party’s flag bearer, come December 18 Local Government Chairmanship Election.
Following a keenly contested primary election, Engr Humphrey Benson pulled 155 votes,defeating other opponents, Hon Longman Nwachukwu who pulled 5 votes, Chief Emmanuel Egwu 36 votes,Nnamdi Balogu 18 votes,Martins Ekueku 3 votes,while Frank Ogbu pulled 1 vote.
In an interview with the press shortly after he was declared winner, Humphrey Chukwudi expressed gratitude to his people for finding him worthy to represent them come December 18 LGA chairmanship election, saying that the number of votes he pulled,is an indication that he is the people’s choice,a grassrooter and fully on ground.
He stated that the same strategy he used in gaining victory in the primary, would be deployed to slug it out with other parties at the chairmanship poll and called on the other contestants at the primary to join force with him,so that the PDP would record a landslide victory come December 18.
The PDP flag bearer,however, promised to carry the other five contestants along in his administration.
The Secretary to the Abia state Government,Barr Chris Ezem, lauded the peaceful process, saying that this was made possible because the PDP stakeholders in the area,sued for a peaceful and transperent exercise and did not interfere in the electoral process, adding that it is only in Umuahia South,one would see this level of arrangement.
Barr Ezem disclosed that the stakeholders would be meeting in some days’ time to draw down modalities of campaign schedules, so that campaign across the ten wards in the local government would begin in ernest.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Umuahia South LGA,Dr Ndukwe Adindu, expressed excitement that the party was able to hold a successful primary under his watch,unlike what was obtainable before,where rancour and violence characterised electoral processes.He said this time around, Umuahia South organised its primary election in a professional manner, setting the pace for others.
The TC chairman stated that a level playing ground was given to all the six candidates and a winner emerged, adding that there was nothing like a consensus candidate.
He said come December 18 LGA election, PDP is ready to clear the polls again,as other parties are inconsequential to challenge the PDP.
“I will show other parties that they are inconsequential in action at the December 18 polls. There is only one party in Umuahia South which is PDP”, Adindu reiterated.
Meanwhile, the Returning Officer for ABSIEC, Barr Ikechukwu Omenihu, disclosed that the PDP has learnt their lessons by allowing elections go free and fair. He said the Umuahia South primary is a show that the party has relegated impunity, imposition to the background.
The Returning Officer noted that the Umuahia South Chairmanship Primary for the LGA election,was the most peaceful and as a matter of fact, the best ever conducted free and fair elections.
Omenihu, however, commended the contestants for their peaceful disposition,show of maturity and display of sportsmanship, commending the party for offering a level playing ground to all aspirants
