People of Enugu State on Monday broke into jubilation after the member representing Udenu/Igboeze North Federal Constituency in Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, declared winner of the PDP gubernatorial ticket for the 2015 general elections.
Ugwuanyi who has overwhelming support of party faithful was adopted as the consensus candidate of the party on. September 26, 2014 in Enugu.
In the primary held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Ugwuanyi scored 933 votes to defeat four other aspirants including Sen Ayogu Eze and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Eugene Odo.
It was learnt that people of the went back-patting, and chest-hugging as the news filtered in from Enugu, where the primary held. Some headed for the bar.
TheRainbow learnt there was partying all nights in Enugu Ezike as people celebrated the emergence of Ugwuanyi.
In Enugu twin people sat at bars and restaurant discussing the victory of Ugwuanyi which they see as a victory for Governor Chime who threw his political weight behind hi .
Hon Aldo scored 26 votes while Eze, Chinedu Onuh and Chief Sam Onyishi were absent from the primary.
Eze held a parallel primary where he was declared winner, but without the presence of PDP primary panel members. Sources said he was readying to go to court to compel recognition of his own primary.
The primary was monitored by the PDP Electoral Panel led by King Asara A. Asara and representatives of the INEC led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Lawrence Azubuike.
In his acceptance speech, Ugwuanyi thanked the delegates for the massive support and votes given to him.
The candidate pledged committed efforts toward the development of the state.
“Indeed, Enugu people have spoken and God has endorsed. The voice of the people is the voice of God,” he said
He appealed to aggrieved members of the party to return to the party and move the state forward.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the panel, King Asara commended the delegates for peaceful conduct of the primary in the state.
He urged defeated aspirants to exhibit spirit of sportsmanship as there would always be a winner and loser in every game.
Senator Ayogu Eze’s group had conducted a parallel primary where he was declared the winner.
The primary election that produced Ugwuanyi was attended by Gov. Sullivan Chime and his deputy, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye, Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu and other members of the state and National Assembly.
Others were former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, former and serving members of the state and federal executive council.
NAN reports that it was celebration galore as Ugwuanyi was declared winner by the panel.
The coordinator of the Total Mandate Group, Abuja Chapter, Mr John Kennedy Chime, told NAN that Ugwuanyi’s candidacy was a “confirmed victory ticket’’ for the PDP in Enugu state.
“Ugwuanyi is a unifying factor, experienced and very focused to drive development in the state to a higher level,’’ Chime said.
