From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba has won the governorship ticket of the rescheduled PDP gubernatorial primary held on Sunday at the party's Secretariat Abakaliki.
Ogba polled 253 votes to defeat his closest rival, Anayo Nwonu who scored 110 votes, according to the Electoral Committee Chairman, Engr Chris Okolo.
Engr Chris Okolo who announced the result said that 513 delegates were accredited and voted, but Senator Ogba emerged as the winner for scoring the highest votes, among other contenders.
He stated that "a total number of votes accredited were 513. Ifeanyi Odii - 1 vote. Dr Nwazunku Augustine Ugbala-1 vote, Igwe Paulinus-2 votes and Austin Edeze-3 votes.
"Others include Nwazunku Chukwuma Ugbala -6votes, Hon Sylvester Ogbaga-63 votes, Hon Edwin Anayo-110 votes, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo-44 votes and Senator Obinna Ogba-253 votes and I
void votes-14.
"Meanwhile, we have absentee candidates among, "Engr Sunday Opoke, Chukwuma Odii, Chris Usulor," while Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh had before the commencement of the gubernatorial primary election stepped down another contender, following his justifications.
Recall that Obinna Ogba is a sitting member representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Speaking after being declared the winner of the gubernatorial ticket by the electoral committee chairman, Senator Ogba commended the PDP members for giving him the platform to be its flag bearer and pledged to ensure the party won in the general election.
"My special thanks go to the stakeholders of the party in the state for finding me worthy to be the party flag bearer and I wish to thank the party chairman and national vice-chairman who made sure we come together.
"I call on my brothers who are co-contestants as I extend my hands of fellowship, this is a sport and one person must win. And I call on them to come and join me so that we put our party forward," he said.
Also, the State PDP Chairman, Mr Toochukwu Okorie who was visibly delighted over the peaceful exercise appreciated the stakeholders for their support for ensuring a free and credible primary election.
He thanked the participants for their contributions and commitment to achieving peaceful exercise.
Earlier, the chairman of the electoral panel, Mr Chris Okolo while announcing the result hinted that five hundred and thirteen delegates were accredited and voted with senator Ogba emerging as the winner with two hundred and fifty-three votes.
