Tremendous jubilations in Enugu West Senatorial District as distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu emerges the Peoples’ Democratic Party senatorial candidate for 2019. Ekweremadu who is representing the five local governments in Enugu West, namely, Aninri, Awgu, Udi, Eziagu and Oji River defeats several contenders to emerge victoriously.
Prof. Sen. Ekweremadu who is also the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria emerges winner in the just concluded PDP senate primary election on a landslide victory ahead of 2019.
The election was held yesterday in Awgu LGA, the headquarters of Enugu West, where five candidates contested to become the flag-bearer of PDP for senate come 2019. It was an overwhelming defeat for Ekweremadu’s opponents as he won the election with 690 votes out of a total of 773 votes cast. Seeing the outcome of the election as well as the population present, one would easily say that Ekweremadu has totally won the support of his people with his care, support and goodwill. What more can they ask for?
Leadership SCORECARD recorded the attendance of a host of dignitaries, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, member representing Awgu, Aninri, Oji River Federal Constituency; Dr. Festus Orji – Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State; Hon. Chukwuemelie Agu – General Manager of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation; Sir. Obi Kama – Chairman of Enugu State Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board; Awgu Council Chairman – Hon. Stanley Okeke; Council Chairmen of Aninri, Udi, Ezeagu and Oji River LGAs; former speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly – Rt. Hon. Cletus Enebe; Hon. Uche Ogbonna – SA to the governor on political matters; Dr. Godwin Ogbuefi – Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports Enugu State; Chief Okey Ozoani, the Enugu West PDP Zonal Chairman, to mention but a few.
The exercise commenced with the chairman of a 3-man committee electoral panel, Chief Innocent Ezeoha explaining the process of the election which was first of all to affirm the number of delegates representing each local government and issue them ballot papers to vote their choice candidate. He continued by saying that it will be done in an orderly manner to ensure decorum and will be closely monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with this, he declared the election open.
Chief Ezeoha introduced the candidates contesting to the delegates, they are: Engr. Isaac Oka, Sir. Oscar Egwuonwu, Sen. Ike Ekwerenmadu, Engr. Uche Onyegwelu and Sir. O.A.U Onyema. He stressed the need for delegates to cast their votes accordingly and advised delegates who are unable to write to ask his committee members for assistance instead of fellow delegates to ensure transparency. Casting of votes started with Eziagu LGA with 212 accredited delegates and 209 delegates present cast their votes, Udi LGA had 216 accredited delegates and 214 delegates present cast their votes, Awgu LGA had 134 accredited delegates and 132 delegates present cast their votes, Oji River LGA had 213 accredited delegates and 212 delegates present cast their votes and Aninri LGA had 119 accredited delegates and 109 delegates present cast their votes. The election was free and fair and after the votes have been counted, the electoral panel chairman declared Sen. Ike Ekwerenmadu winner of the Enugu West PDP senatorial primary election having scored the highest votes.
Ekweremadu thanked everyone present; he thanked the electoral panel for doing a great job of carrying out the best primary election in the history of Nigeria as it was very transparent. He also thanked the security agencies for securing the venue of the primary election and keeping everyone safe, he encouraged them to continue the good work. He also thanked PDP for honouring him with this mandate and promised to win the election in 2019 by the grace of God.
Finally, he said that PDP will be part of the ruling government in 2019 and that he will ensure peace, tranquility, progress, equity and justice in Nigeria. Also, he will continue to represent Enugu West rightly in the senate and thanked his opponents for participating in the election, for they made it worth the while “I like contest” he said. Finally he encouraged them to support PDP and join the fight in making the country a better place.
