With 777 votes, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has been declared the winner of primary election for Abia North senatorial district.
He was elected unopposed at Ebem, Ohafia LGA after his only challenger, Mr Fabian Okonkwo withdrew from the race a few hours to the contest.
Despite the withdrawal of Okonkwo, delegates were still allowed to cast their votes to ratify their support or otherwise for Kalu.
The returning officer, Chief Paul Ukoha who announced the results of the primary, said the Senate Chief Whip had no challenger and returned him the winner, with 777 votes.
He gave details of the votes cast as Arochukwu 236 votes, Bende 178, Isukwuato 112, Umunneichi 116 and Ohafia 135.
Chief Ukonu described the election as peaceful.
Speaking on his victory, Kalu denied negotiating for the position of Vice President of Nigeria with Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Rather, he said his focus was to transform his senatorial district to an enviable height.
” I have never told anyone I want to be Vice President. I am vying to be a Senator of the federal republic. If by any means any assignment is given to me, I will do it very well. I am capable of doing any job.”
He continued, ” I have never bargained with Ahmad Lawan that I want to be his Vice.”
He appreciated his constituents for giving him a second chance to represent them, assuring that he would outperform his first outing.
The maverick politician pleaded for support from traditional rulers during 2023 Senate battle.
He further maintained that he is not a member of any faction of APC in Abia, as speculated by some persons.
Before Kalu’s victory, there were fears that he may be denied the party’s ticket for not openely identifying with the Kingsley Ononogbu-led APC, commonly known as Ikechi Emenike camp.
Nkeiruka Onyejiocha also won the ticket to contest Isukwuato/ Umunneochi federal constituency.
Onyejiocha, if elected in 2023, would be in her fifth straight terms in the green chamber.