Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State was conspicuously absent on Sunday as
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has won the ticket for Enugu West Senatorial zone, in the senatorial primaries held in the state.
The state governor Sullivan Chime who was in pole position to clinch the ticket ahead of Ekweremadu, was conspicuously missing on Sunday as the Deputy Senate President coasted to to overwhelming mandate to return to the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Governor Chime, who purchased the PDP form to challenge Ekweremadu for the Enugu West Senatorial ticket, later withdrew from the race in the spirit of agreement reached with Ekweremadu in a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. .
The primary election, which held at Awgu Local Government Area of the state, had a total number of 299 accredited delegates out of the 315 statutory delegates.
The Returning Officer, Mr. Innocent Agbo, accompanied by the Electoral Officer, Mr. Emma Ogbu had earlier announced that Ekweremadu was the only candidate for the election.
He, however, said that there must be actual voting in line with the party’s constitution.
At the end of voting, Ekweremadu polled 294 votes. Five votes were declared invalid.
In his acceptance speech, the Senator described his victory as an act of God.
He, however, dedicated his victory to Governor Chime, who he said made personal sacrifices for the return of peace in the party.
According to him, “this is the first time I am being returned unopposed despite all challenges, which means there is God in heaven; He acts when everything is impossible.
“I want to dedicate this victory to Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State; he equally made personal sacrifices to pave way for the peace we have today”.
Ekweremadu urged his supporters to vote for Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was earlier endorsed by Chime as the party’s consensus candidate.
“As you can see today, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu has withdrawn from the race; Chinedu Onu has also withdrawn, so I urge all our people to vote for Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi tomorrow. Peace requires making sacrifices and that is what they have all done.
“In the spirit of equity, we have all agreed that the governorship should go to Nsukka, so, let’s support Ugwuanyi”, he stated.
He promised to attract more developmental projects to the people, job opportunities and a Federal Polytechnic.
Meanwhile, the five local government chairmen in the zone, who hitherto had been with Governor Chime, not only participated in the primary election, but assured Ekweremadu of their support.
The Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Hon. Mathanus Nze, who spoke on behalf of others, commended Governor Chime and Senator Ekweremadu for resolving their political differences.
