A former Chief of Staff to former governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, Peter Mba, has emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries in the state.

Mr Mba, who was also Commissioner for Finance under Nnamani administration, polled 790 votes in the primaries contested by nine aspirants.

His closest rival, Chijioke Edeoga polled nine votes, followed by Chinyeaka Ohaa with three votes while Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Chukwunta Gilbert with one vote respectively.

The other five contestants included Professor Hillary Edeoga, Ken Onoh, Professor Barth Nnaji, Senator Gilbert Nnaji and scored nil vote.

Only three void votes were recorded in the primary election.

The Chairman of the PDP Gubernatorial Primaries Electoral Committee in Enugu State, Sen. Zik Sunday, who declared the result, described the process as “transparent, credible and peaceful.”

Sunday said that 812 delegates were accredited for the exercise with 807 votes cast.

He said that at the close of accreditation, two delegates from Oji River Local Government Area were absent.

The electoral committee chairman said that independent observers, including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were on ground to monitor the exercise.

Nineteen aspirants purchased the gubernatorial nomination form of the party.

However, prior to voting during the primaries, eight of the aspirants stepped down for Mr Mba.

The aspirants who announced their withdrawals are Messrs Chukwudi Nneji, Kingsley Udeh, Erasmus Anike and Nwabueze Ugwu.

The rest are Messrs Ifeanyichukwu Nwoye, Onyekwere Nnaji, Beloved-Dan Anike and Gabriel Ajah.

In his acceptance speech, the governorship candidate pledged to serve with humility and build on the success of the current administration if elected.

According to Mr Mba, it is our vision to transform our state with the  support of the people of the state.

It would be recalled that Mr Ekweremadu had in a statement early hours of Wednesday announced his withdrawal from the contest.

Voting at the primaries which were held in the main-bowl of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu started by 2:22 p.m.

Mr Mba, a legal professional, who hails from Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state is the Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Oils Nig. Ltd. 

(NAN)