Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ebonyi South Senatorial by-election, Professor Anthony Okorie Ani, has been declared the winner of the February 3, 2024 election.
Announcing the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Afikpo, Afikpo North local government area of the State, the Presiding Officer, Mr. Eze Uchechukwu, said that Professor Ani polled a total of 46,270 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sir Ifeanyi Eleje of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who scored a total of 3,513 votes.
Mr. Uchechukwu announced that the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Silas Onu, scored a total of 2,783 votes while that of the Labour Party (LP), Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie, scored a total of 2,710 votes.
The Returning Officer further announced that the only female candidate in the by-election, Mrs. Njoku Stella of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), scored a total of 227 votes.
The election, according to observers, witnessed voter apathy in the five local government areas of Afikpo, Edda, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onicha and attributed the development to lack of interest in the outcome of elections in the Nigeria’s electoral process.
One of the observers, Mr. Ifeanyi Mba, noted that less than 10% of the registered voters in the five local government areas of the Senatorial zone turned out to exercise their franchise, adding that Nigerians were gradually losing interest in the country’s electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, has congratulated Prof. Okorie Ani on his victory in the just-concluded Senatorial by-election in Ebonyi South Zone.
Governor Nwifuru described the victory of Prof Ani as a testament to the people’s implicit confidence in the candidate and the APC.
“The people have once again made a loud statement through the ballot. The reason for the overwhelming victory of the APC candidate in the by-election is not far-fetched, it is predicated on the modest achievements of our government on the platform of All Progressives Congress.
“Just like I said during our campaign, we were confident of victory because we chose a candidate with the pedigree and all it takes to win the election.
“I wish to use this medium to appreciate the leadership of APC, our supporters and indeed the entire people of Ebonyi South zone for their massive support to our candidate.
“To the the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as security agencies, I give you kudos for your firmness and unbias which led to the smooth conduct of the election,” he stated.
The governor expressed confidence that the Senator-elect when sworn in will make the State and the nation proud.
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