By Roland Ike, Abakaliki
A University Don, Prof. Anthony Ani has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Ebonyi South Senatorial district bye-election scheduled for Feb.3, 2024.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the seat became vacant after its former occupier, Chief David Umahi resigned to assume office as the Minister of Works with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) subsequently fixing the bye-election for February 3, 2024.
The Returning Officer for the primary, Dr Akin Akinsehinwa said that the election was peaceful as Ani was the only aspirant who contested the election.
“The total votes cast was 285, invalid votes were 5 while valid votes were 281.
“The election was transparent that was why I insisted that the ballot boxes be displayed before and after the voting,”.
Akinsehinwa said he was not aware of any consensus arrangement by the party as his task was to conduct the election.
“I can only advise the winner to accommodate everyone to ensure optimum success at the polls,”.
The APC Chairman in Ebonyi, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha said the party was poised for total victory at the senatorial bye-election.
“The APC Ebonyi is a big family that is united, so the outcome of this primary was not surprising.
“We conducted critical analysis of all those interested in the position and saw Ani as the best,”
He said that the APC was the party which feels the heartbeat of the people and execute their wishes.
Ani, in his acceptance remark, said he was confident of winning the bye-election and subsequently offer the district, effective representation.
“I am going to connect with the people and thank the district’s stakeholders for supporting me,”.
Ani is a Professor of Agricultural Extension at Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
