Elias Mbam, former chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, held on Thursday in Abakaliki.

Mr Mbam polled 741 votes to defeat Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, who polled seven votes, Senator Julius Ucha four votes, Rosemary Ofoke who polled one vote.

Mr Nwifuru had earlier been anointed choice successor by Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi.

Egwu Inya, Returning Officer (RO) who announced the results, said that the election was peaceful, credible, free and fair, adding that a total of 22 invalid votes were recorded.

He added that the process met all the required guidelines prescribed by the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“With these results, I hereby declare Chief Elias Mbam, who polled 741 ballots, winner of the election and is hereby returned as the APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Ebonyi,” Mr Inya said.

Mr Mbam, in his post-election speech, thanked the delegates for the peaceful election and for finding him worthy to bear the party’s governorship flag in the 2023 general election.

The former RMAFC chairman promised to lead the party to victory in the forthcoming general elections.

“I thank party members and delegates from the 171 wards in the state for finding me worthy to fly the party’s flag.

“I want to assure you that I will not disappoint you, I will carry this flag to victory; I want to assure you that in 2023, APC will emerge winner in this state.

“I want to thank you for the peaceful conduct of this primary and I want to say with full humility and honour that I accept this mandate happily.

“We will all work together to lead the party to victory not only in the gubernatorial election but also in all the elections,” Mr Mbam said. 

(NAN)