Former PDP Chairman, Chief Silas Onu, Emerges as Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate
The former State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Chief Silas Onu, has emerged as the winner of the Party’s primary election conducted at the PDP’s Secretariat in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the State.
The election was held to fill the seat left vacant by Sen. David Umahi, former Senate Majority Leader, who was appointed Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu.
Chief Silas Onu secured a total of 143 votes, defeating his sole opponent, Sen. Amah Nnachi, who failed to secure any votes in the election. The PDP Primary bye-election Committee, led by Mr Lekan Rotimi, declared the exercise as credible, free, and fair.
According to Rotimi, the election followed the party’s guidelines and electoral laws. Chief Silas Onu, having complied with the relevant electoral law and the PDP primary election guideline and having won the majority lawful votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected as the PDP candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial district. A total of 144 delegates were accredited to vote in the election, with one invalid vote recorded, he stated.
The primary election was closely monitored by various security agencies, including the Department of State Security (DSS), Police, Civil Defence, and army, alongside officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Addressing allegations of a parallel primary election in any part of the zone, Rotimi dismissed them and emphasized that his committee was the only one authorized by the National Party Secretariat to conduct the election.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Silas Onu expressed his gratitude to the delegates and party members from the Ebonyi South Senatorial zone for entrusting him with their mandate. He assured them of his commitment to delivering victory in the main election.
Onu acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the election and expressed optimism for the upcoming senatorial election. We have work to do, we have less than three weeks to the election and what we need to do is to put our house in order, and we have no option than to win this senatorial election and together we will, he affirmed.
With the primary election concluded, Chief Silas Onu now sets his sights on the main election for the Ebonyi South Senatorial district. As the PDP candidate, he hopes to secure the support and votes of the people to represent their interests effectively.
This bye-election presents an opportunity for the Ebonyi South Senatorial district to choose a new representative who will continue the work started by Sen. David Umahi and effectively address the needs and concerns of the people moving forward.
