PDP Guber Primaries: Winners Emerge In Enugu, Abia, Delta, Exercise Fails In Imo, Ebonyi

The primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was held in some states in South East and South South regions on Wednesday.

The shift in the date for the conduct of the process in the zones especially in the South East was due to the level of insecurity currently pervading the region.

In Enugu State, an industrialist and former Commissioner for Finance, Peter Mbah emerged the party's governorship candidate.

Mbah, who was Chief of Staff to then Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, recorded a landslide victory over his opponents.

He scored 790 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chijioke Edeoga who scored 9 votes.

In Abia State, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University, Prof. Uche Ikonne, emerged as the party's flag bearer having secured 468 to defeat his closest rival, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe who polled 45 votes. Ezenwanyi Jonah got five votes.

Seven aspirants including the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu; Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Senator Emma Nwaka had earlier withdrawn from the race, citing use of fake news and non-compliance with due process.

The total number of votes cast was 544 votes while eight votes were voided.

In their acceptance speech, Ikonne promised to institute a participatory government if elected governor

Also in Delta State, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori won the party's ticket after scoring 597 votes to beat his opponents. 

In Imo State, however, the state House of Assembly/House of Representatives primaries which were supposed to hold on Wednesday were postponed. 

The State Publicity of PDP, Emenike Emeregini, who made this known late on Wednesday said the postponement was due to the prevailing insecurity in the state which meant that such exercise could not be held at night.

Party delegates who had gathered at the Kanu Nwankwo stadium for the exercise expressed shock at the sudden postponement.

The primaries could not also be held in Ebonyi State due to the controversy surrounding the chairmanship of the party in the state.

The court of Appeal had ousted Silas Onu as the party chairman in the state and reinstalled Tochukwu Okorie who is now insisting on conducting a fresh delegates’ congress ahead of a potential primaries.