Oil businessman, Uchechukwu Ogah have clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2019 Abia State Governorship election.
The Chief Executive Officer of Masters' Energy Oil and Gas emerged winner in a keenly contested primary election, beating a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Azubuike with 86, 875 votes cast.
Other contestants were, Chief Ikechi Emenike (455), Comrade Chris Akomas (2143), Hon Martins Azubuike (10,889), Barr. Friday Nwosu (3529), Amb. Okey Emuchay (1270), and Prince Paul Ikonne (999).
Recall that some of aggrieved aspirant had on Tuesday, alleged that the David Iyoha-led electoral committee was induced to influence the outcome of the primary election in favour of a particular aspirant.
Chief Paul Ikonne, one of the gubernatorial aspirants under the platform of APC made the allegation during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday.
Announcing the results after the collation, the chairman of the Electoral committee and former Speaker of Edo state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. David Iyoha said, “the result, having been collated from the ward level to the local government, now collated at the state level, it is my pleasure to announce that seven aspirants contested for this direct primaries.
“Dr. Uche Ogah having satisfied the provisions of the constitution of our great party, the APC and the law, is hereby elected by direct primaries, the gubernatorial candidate of APC in Abia state and is whereby returned elected”.
Speaking shortly after he was pronounced the winner, the APC chieftain, thanked God, party members for a successful primary election in the state.
According to the governorship hopeful, “Today, the contest has come to an end. There is no gainsaying that anyone who contested for this post is qualified.
“However, grace is what differentiates every man. I know that all my brothers that contested with me are all noble fellows, and I’m extending a hand of fellowship, for us to work together.
“The victory we have today is for the people of Abia state. I believe that our party, APC, has demonstrated that the will of the people is stronger.
“I can say, APC is a great party, a party that has openness and integrity in its processes. There will be joy everywhere in the state, because, the time for the people of Abia to rejoice has come.
” I strongly believe that come 2019, APC will take over Abia state”.