The All Progressive Congress, APC, Thursday held parallel gubernatorial primaries in Ebonyi State.
AFRIPOST reporter who monitored the exercise said a faction of the APC who held its primary in Abakaliki town, produced the immediate past Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Engr Elias Mbam as a winner.
According to the Returning Officer, Egwu Inya Akanu-Oti, Engr Elias Mbam scored 741 votes to beat his closest rival, the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chief Francis Nwufuru who polled 7 votes.
However, another faction of the Ebonyi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress very loyal to Governor Dave Umahi has equally begun its governorship primary ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The party’s governorship primaries, held on Thursday at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium Abakaliki, were said to have five delegates in each of the 171 wards of the state in attendance.
AFRIPOST reporter revealed that the party’s governorship primaries are chaired by Prof. Adebayo Emmanuel, and the delegates would elect the APC governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections.
It was also gathered that among the governorship aspirants are Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon Francis Nwifuru; a former Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, Engr Elias Mbam, a former federal lawmaker – Sen. Julius Ali Ucha; Arc. Edward Nkwegu; and one Mrs Ofoke.
Nevertheless, the result by the Prof. Adebayo Emmanuel led panel has produced, Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru who polled 743 votes to win the gubernatorial primary election for Ebonyi State.
Other contenders, according Adebayo led electoral panel, including Julius Ali Julius scored 22 votes, Elia Mbam – 10 votes, Edward Nkwegu – 8 votes, Mrs Rosemary Ofoke – 63 votes and invalid votes – 8 votes.