2019: Abia Speaker, Kalu picks PDP ticket to seek reelection, opponent dumps party

Chikwendu Kalu, the Speaker of Abia state House of Assembly has picked the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to seek reelection in 2019.

Kalu, who is currently representing Isiala Ngwa South constituency in the State Assembly, polled 82 votes to defeat Chief Daniel Ubani, who scored 43 delegate votes at the rescheduled election held at Umuahia Township stadium.

Another aspirant in the race, Mr. Chimaobi Christian polled no vote, while a vote was voided.

Speaking with newsmen after he was declared the winner of the PDP House of Assembly primary election for Isiala Ngwa South constituency, Kalu thanked God and the people of Isiala Ngwa south for the confidence reposed on him.

The speaker called for unity within the party fold to ensure that PDP wins all the elective positions in the state come 2019.

Reacting on the outcome of the primary election, the Speaker’s opponent, Chief Dannie Ubani rejected the results and announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Meanwhile, a stalwart of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Andrew Utah, has clinched the Abia House of Assembly ticket of the party to vie for Umuahia north constituency seat in the 2019 election.

Announcing the results after collation at Isingwu in Umuahia, the Returning Officer of the party, Barrister Rex Chikezie said,”total of 18 delegates participated in the primary election and no vote was voided during the counting”.

According to Chikezie,”Chukwunyere Akwara scored 3 votes, Enyinnaya Nwadinobi got 1 vote, Utah Chukwuemeka Andrew 14 votes and Sunny Ajero had no voted.

“And by the power conferred on by the State leadership of our party, I declare Chukwuemeka Utah as the winner of the House of Assembly primary election for Umuahia north state constituency”.