Mr Umahi emerged unopposed at the APC primary election held at Obiozara Primary School, Uburu, where he secured all 55 votes cast by accredited delegates from the 11 wards of the local government area.
Declaring the result, the Deputy Chairman of APC in Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr Alphonsus Nwali, said the exercise was peaceful, transparent and conducted in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
“Total number of accredited voters is 55. Total votes cast, 55. Valid votes, 55. Invalid votes, zero. Therefore, Osborne Nweze Umahi, having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner of the primary election,” Mr Nwali announced.
He commended the people of Ohaozara for their consistent support for the APC in previous national and state elections, assuring them that the party would continue to promote internal democracy and produce leaders capable of delivering meaningful development.
Nwali explained that although two aspirants, Mrs Jenny Umahi and Mr Osborne Umahi, purchased nomination forms, only Mr Umahi was cleared to contest the primary after screening.
“During the screening exercise, one of the aspirants failed to present a valid APC e-registration membership card, leaving us with only one qualified aspirant,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Osborne Umahi thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented infrastructure development in Ebonyi State and the South-East, and expressed gratitude to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for supporting his candidacy.
“Our administration will focus on rural road development, especially roads leading to farmlands and markets, to ease agricultural production and trade.
“We will establish cottage agricultural centres, promote mechanised farming, empower our youths and ensure access to potable water across Ohaozara," Osborne Umahi said.
He also pledged to work with security agencies to make Ohaozara one of the safest local government areas in the country.
The Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, while speaking at the event, expressed confidence in his son’s leadership capacity and urged the people to support him.
“He will open up all the roads in our villages, roads to the farmlands and the markets. He will establish agricultural clusters, empower the youths and ensure that Ohaozara experiences sustainable development,” the minister said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Ebonyi State, Mr Francis Ori, described the primary as a reflection of Mr Umahi’s wide acceptance across party lines.
“Even members of opposition parties are joining APC because they believe in his capacity and policies. That is why you can see that the people have unanimously thrown their weight behind him,” Mr Ori said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-East, Barrister Chioma Nweze, said the primary election was free, fair and devoid of violence.
“There was no intimidation, no violence and no insecurity. Every interested party was given a fair opportunity, and the process was transparent,” she said, adding that expectations were high for Mr Umahi to prioritise road construction and community development.
Earlier, the South-East Zonal Treasurer of the APC, Mr Itapa Azobo, who led a national delegation of the party from Abuja, said the delegation observed the process and was satisfied with the conduct of the primary.
“We have observed keenly and everything done here is in order. We congratulate Osborne Nweze Umahi and we are confident that he will do marvellous things in Ohaozara Local Government Area,” Mr Azobo said.
Party stakeholders and supporters at the event described the primary as orderly and peaceful, expressing optimism that the APC candidate would deliver on his development agenda if elected.
