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The Ebonyi South Senatorial zone is set for a showdown as Silas Onu, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, emerged victorious in the party’s primary bye-election. Onu’s win positions him as the PDP candidate for the impending senatorial election scheduled for February 3.

The hotly contested election, which took place at the zonal party secretariat in Afikpo North Local Government Area, aimed to fill the seat left vacant by Dave Umahi, the former Senate Majority Leader. Umahi’s appointment as the Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu necessitated the by-election.

In a landslide victory, Onu secured 143 votes, overcoming his sole rival, Sen. Amah Nnachi, who failed to garner any votes in the keenly contested election.

The PDP Primary bye-election committee, under the leadership of Mr. Lekan Rotimi, upheld the integrity of the election, affirming its credibility and fairness. Rotimi, in announcing the results, emphasized that the electoral process adhered to the party’s regulations and prevailing electoral laws.

“Chief Silas Onu, having adhered to the relevant electoral laws and the PDP primary election guidelines, and having secured the majority of legitimate 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 election, with only one invalid vote recorded,” stated Rotimi.

Furthermore, Rotimi reassured the public that the election was closely monitored by pertinent security agencies, including the Department of State Security (DSS), Police, Civil Defence, and the army, as well as officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Dismissive of any allegations of parallel primary elections within the zone, Rotimi stressed that his committee was the sole body mandated by the national party secretariat to conduct the election.

“In light of these facts, I refute any claims of an alternative congress elsewhere. As I have previously stated, my committee and I are the only representatives deployed from Abuja to oversee the election,” he firmly stated.

As the political landscape in Ebonyi South gears up for the senatorial election, Onu’s victory in the PDP primaries sets the stage for an intriguing and closely observed contest, with the ramifications potentially reverberating beyond the region’s borders.