Anambra Guber: Ngige Defeats Ezeemo To Clinch APC Ticket

FROM LEFT: NATIONAL WOMEN LEADER, ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), MRS SHARON IKEAZOR; SEN. CHRIS NGIGE; INTERIM NATIONAL DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF APC (SOUTH), SEN. ANNIE OKONKWO; GOV. ROCHAS OKOROCHA OF IMO AND THE PARTY'S INTERIM ORGANISING SECRETARY, SEN. OSITA IZUNASO, AT A RALLY OF THE PARTY IN AWKA.
FROM LEFT: NATIONAL WOMEN LEADER, ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), MRS SHARON IKEAZOR; SEN. CHRIS NGIGE; INTERIM NATIONAL DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF APC (SOUTH), SEN. ANNIE OKONKWO; GOV. ROCHAS OKOROCHA OF IMO AND THE PARTYā€™S INTERIM ORGANISING SECRETARY, SEN. OSITA IZUNASO, AT A RALLY OF THE PARTY IN AWKA.

A Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chris Ngige, has emerged the flag bearer of theĀ All Progressives Congress, APC, for the governorship election in Anambra, scheduled for November 16.

Mr. Ngige garnered 63,255 votes to defeat Godwin Ezeemo, who polled 9,564 votes in the primaries conducted in the 326 electoral wards in the state.

Announcing the result, the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, who was the chief returning officer of the election, expressed happiness over the peaceful conduct of the polls.

Mr. Shekarau said that the party chose the Option A4 method as provided for in the constitution of the party.

ā€œBecause the party has the right to choose what method of election to adopt in choosing its candidate, it went forward to choose Option A4 for the election, this is to ensure transparency,ā€ he said.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Ngige commended the Electoral Committee and the leadership of the party for enshrining internal democracy in the process that elected him.

ā€œWhat has happened today has shown that we have started our journey to the Awka Government House. APC has taken its root in Anambra. The journey is a very important one and we have to cross the red sea.

ā€œMy 63, 255 votes plus 9564 votes are the number of foot soldiers other party members would have to contend with in the forthcoming election. I extend my hand of fellowship to all of you, even those who did not vote for me. I want to thank you all, especially Sen. Annie Okonkwo for his support and Mr. Godwin Ezeemo for insisting that the ballot must be cast because he insisted on a primary election,ā€ Mr. Ngige said.

In his reaction, Mr. Ezeemo commended Mr. Ngige for his victory, expressing satisfaction with the process.

He said that it was only fair that a primary election to take place in a contest where there were two aspirants.

Those who graced the occasion include the National Organising Secretary of the party, Osita Izunaso; former Abuja Minister, Nasir El-Rufai; Nyerere Anyim; and Romanus Egbuladike.

(NAN)