Toba Owojaiye reportingÂ
Afikpo, Ebonyi
In a significant political development, Prof. Anthony Okorie, a distinguished professor in Agricultural Extension Administration at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming Ebonyi South Senatorial District bye-election on February 4.
Truth Live News gathered that Prof. Okorie’s victory was resounding, with 281 out of 285 accredited voters supporting him during the primary election held at Afikpo local government headquarters in Ebonyi State.
The returning officer, Dr Akin Awodeyi Akinsehinwe, lauded the peaceful conduct of the election, attributing its success to the harmonization efforts by party stakeholders within the senatorial district.
Hailing from Onicha Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, Prof. Okorie became the sole candidate after a harmonization meeting facilitated by the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru. This meeting, held on Friday, witnessed unanimous support from interested parties, stakeholders, and aspirants for Prof. Okorie.
The bye-election in Ebonyi South senatorial district was triggered by the resignation of Sen. David Umahi, a former governor of the state, who vacated his Senate position to take on the role of Minister of Work.
Expressing gratitude for his victory, Prof. Okorie deemed it a miracle and pledged to leverage his agricultural expertise in the Senate. He promised to make significant contributions to the advancement of the agricultural sector if elected.
The reaction among netizens was diverse. Some celebrated the democratic process, highlighting the opportunity for any party member to emerge and fill a vacancy. On the other hand, some argued that the choice of replacement should have been solely the prerogative of Umahi, the former governor whose resignation led to the vacancy.