Two factions of the Labour Party in Ebonyi state have held parallel primaries producing two candidates for the Ebonyi South Senate bye-election.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Linus Okorie, who represented Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo federal constituency in the National Assembly emerged as a candidate from the first primary.
A 60-year-old businessman, Nwabueze Nwachukwu emerged from the second primary, reportedly held at an unknown location in the state.
Okorie had in the 2023 general election 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.
He emerged as the winner in the primary election held at Amuro/Mgbom Community Primary School field, Afikpo North local government area, the headquarters of the senatorial district.
The chairman of the electoral committee, Comrade Ayo Olorufemi, who declared Okorie as the winner, said that three aspirants participated in the primary election.
He noted that Okorie won with 40 votes, defeating Nwabueze Ogo Eze, with 10 votes, and Fred Okereke, with seven votes.
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Meanwhile, Nwabueze Nwachukwu who is the owner of Abuson Hotels, Abakaliki polled fifty votes out of Fifty-seven votes cast to emerge as a consensus candidate for the election while Linus Okorie secured four votes.
The Returning Officer, Ifeanyichukwu Nwibo appreciated the delegates’ peaceful conduct during the Primary Election.
In his acceptance speech, Nwabueze expressed gratitude to God for his victory, stressing that he was prepared to represent Ebonyi South senatorial Zone at the National Assembly if elected on the third of next month.
The election comes up on the 3rd of February 2024.