From Kenneth Udeh
Current member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and eminent business mogul Chief Daniel Chimezie Okeke have both been announced winners of the House of Representatives primary election of the All Progressive’s conducted on Friday in Abia North Senatorial district of Abia state.
While Benjamin Kalu currently representing Bende Federal constituency is seeking a second term in office, his counterpart Daniel Okeke also aims to represent Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal constituency as a first time legislator if he eventually emerges.
According to the result as declared and authenticated by APC Chairman primary election committee, Joe Eze Aruh a total of 96 votes as polled by Daniel Okeke to emerge winner while he’s opponents ; Daniel Imo , Ikokwu Mary, Ibe Okwara and Iroy Orji received 3, 1, 1 and 3 votes respectively.
110 delegates were accredited for the exercise. The total votes cast stood at 110 with 104 of the votes valid and 6 votes were invalid. With Daniel Okeke’s victory the business mogul is set to replace Rep Uko Nkole who currently represents the Federal constituency at the green chambers but will cease to in 2023 having lost his Senatorial bid to elevate to the Senate to Mao Ohuabunwa both from the same the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
However,Daniel Okeke’s opponents from the state’s ruling PDP Party are yet to emerge due no non conduct of elections, as Dr Sam Anya and Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu an incumbent member House of Assembly representing Ohafia was said to have both declared themselves winners of the House of Representatives primary even as no electoral officers were reportedly present to conduct the election.
Similarly, Spokesperson of the House of Representatives Hon Benjamin Kalu also emerged winner of the APC Bende Federal constituency primaries. Benjamin’s closest opponent Theo Onye Ubani was disqualified during screening exercise after failing to meet the requisite qualifications to contest for the primaries.
Ben Kalu’s victory was sealed after securing 54 valid votes as declared by the presiding Officer Hon. Chibuike Jonas after the final collation of total votes cast by delegates who voted at Agbamuzu, Bende.
According to the results out of a total no of 70 delegates , 66 were accredited while 12 votes were voided 54 votes were cast and declared valid.
The spokesman of the green chambers will however at general elections slated for next year 2023 face a final contest with a former House of Representative member, Nnenna Ukeje of the PDP who is seeking a chance of returning back after several years of absence at the green chamber.