Silas Onu, the former Ebonyi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emerged victorious in the party’s primary bye-election, paving his way for the Ebonyi South Senatorial zone election scheduled for Feb. 3.
Conducted at the zonal party secretariat in Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area on Monday, the election aimed to fill the seat vacated by Dave Umahi, former Senate Majority Leader, who assumed the role of Minister of Works under President Bola Tinubu.
Onu secured a resounding victory with a total of 143 votes, triumphing over his sole competitor, Sen. Amah Nnachi, who received no votes in the election.
The PDP Primary bye-election committee, led by Mr. Lekan Rotimi, deemed the election credible, transparent, and fair. Rotimi, in announcing the result, affirmed that the process adhered to the party’s stipulated guidelines and existing electoral laws.
“Chief Silas Onu, having adhered to the requisite electoral laws and PDP primary election guidelines, securing the majority of valid votes, is hereby declared the winner and duly elected as the PDP candidate for the Ebonyi South Senatorial district.
“A total of 144 delegates were accredited for the voting process, with only one vote rendered invalid,” he stated.
Rotimi highlighted the presence of relevant security agencies such as the Department of State Security (DSS), Police, Civil Defence, army, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, ensuring the election’s integrity.
Furthermore, he dismissed claims of parallel primary elections within the zone, affirming that his committee was the sole entity sanctioned by the national party secretariat to oversee the election.
“There is no other congress ongoing elsewhere. As I mentioned earlier, I and my committee members are the only individuals dispatched from Abuja to conduct this election,” he clarified.