BY NATIONAL PANEL REPORTERS
The Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Francis Nwifuru has polled 743 votes to defeat four other aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries in the state.
Mr Emmanuel Adebayo, Chairman of the party’s committee for the primaries made the declaration while announcing the APC gubernatorial primary result at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki
Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Adebayo said, with a large margin of 743 votes Nwifuru came first in the exercise as Mrs Rosemary Ofoke who came second scored 63 votes, Senator Julius Ali Ucha came third with 22, Chief Elias Mbam scored 10 votes and Chief Edward Nkwegu - 8 votes.
Mr Emmanuel Adebayo, Chairman of the party’s committee for the primaries declared Nwifuru the winner and commended all the participants of the exercise for their seasoned attitude.
Adebayo also declared openly that a total of 855 delegates were accredited for the exercise while the total votes cast was 854.
His words: "The total number of valid votes was 846 while the invalid votes were eight.
“I am delighted over the peaceful conduct of the exercise as this shows that the party is united in the state.
“I thank the national body of the party for finding us worthy to conduct the exercise and the security agencies for providing a peaceful and secure atmosphere.
“I also thank officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among other concerned stakeholders who monitored the exercise, ” he said.
Nwifuru, in his remarks, thanked God for his emergence and Gov. David Umahi for his fatherly disposition and support.
“Umahi has been the instrument God uses to uplift me and I will forever remain indebted to him.
“He picked me from nothing and made me something including being the speaker of the state House of Assembly since 2015.
“I also thank all those who made this victory possible and this auspicious occasion is dedicated to all party faithful, especially the youths."
Our correspondent reports that the primary was monitored by representatives of the INEC in the state, with the presence of the security agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
Some aggrieved members of the APC in Ebonyi, held parallel primaries including that of the gubernatorial position, following the endorsement of Nwifuru by Governor David Umahi as his choice for the position but the decision was kicked against by some of the party faithful leading them into factions in the state.
