Victor Umeh, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on Saturday lost his bid to return to the Senate for the second time.

Mr Umeh lost the APGA Senatorial ticket for Anambra Central to Dozie Nwankwo, member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka in the Federal House of Representatives in the primary conducted in Awka.

Announcing the election result, the returning officer Elizabeth Nwokeocha, said Mr Nwankwo won the contest with a total of 162 votes ahead of Mr Umeh’s 151 votes.

Another contestant, Uzuegbunam Okagbue, an aide to former governor Willie Obiano, scored 10 votes to come third in the primary.

Mr Nwankwo will contest the seat against the incumbent senator Uche Ekwunife of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Umeh contested the Anambra Senate seat in 2015 soon after handing over as national Chairman of APGA, but lost to Mrs Ekwunife whom he displaced in 2017 through the court and served out the tenure.

In 2019, Mr Umeh also contested the seat but lost to Mrs Ekwunife who is still occupying the seat.

In his reaction, Mr Nwankwo thanked the APGA delegates for handing him the party’s ticket, promising to make them proud in the general election.

Mr Umeh reacted by congratulating Mr Nwankwo, saying his loss was the will of the people.

(NAN)