Politics

Ebonyi South By-election: Okorie, Nwachukwu emerge LP parallel primaries candidates

A former member of the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie, who represented Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 2011 to 2015, has emerged as the candidate of the Labour Party.

Okorie secured the LP candidacy in the primaries conducted, beginning with the first primary held at the Amuro/Mgbom Community Primary School field in Afikpo, the headquarters of the Senatorial District.

Announcing the results, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Comrade Ayo Olorufemi, stated that Hon Linus Abaa Okorie received 40 votes, while Nwabueze Ogo Eze got 10 votes, and Fred Okereke received 7 votes.

In the 2023 general election, Okorie contested for the same senatorial seat but lost to the former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, who later resigned to become the Minister of Works.

Meanwhile, a 60-year-old businessman, Mr Nwabueze Nwachukwu, also emerged from the second primary, reportedly held at an unknown location in the state.

Nwachukwu, the owner of Abuson Hotels in Abakaliki, garnered fifty votes out of the fifty-seven cast, securing the position as the consensus candidate for the election, while Linus Okorie received four votes.

The Returning Officer, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwibo, thanked the delegates for their peaceful conduct during the primary election.

In his acceptance speech, Nwabueze expressed gratitude to God for his victory, emphasizing that he is truly prepared to represent Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly if elected on the third of next month.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Comrade Ayo Olorufemi, who declared Okorie as the winner, mentioned that three aspirants participated in the primary election.

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