Ekweremadu, Nnamani, Utazi pick PDP senatorial tickets in Enugu

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former governor of Enugu State,  Senator Chimaroke Nnamani,  and senator representing Enugu North,  Chuka Utazi,  have won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tickets for the Enugu West, Enugu East and Enugu North  Senatorial  zones for the 2019 general elections.
In the senatorial primary conducted at the Enugu West Zonal Headquarters, Awgu, on Tuesday, Ekweremadu polled 690 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr. Isaac Okah, who had 84 votes.
Ogochukwu Onyema polled 61 votes to place a third, while Uche Onyekwelu and  Oscar Egwuonwu polled 22 votes and 5 votes, respectively.
 Returning Officer for the PDP, Enugu West Senatorial District primary election, Hon. Innocent Ezeoha, while declaring the results said, “…I hereby declare Prof. Ike Ekweremdu, having scored the highest votes cast, as the duly nominated and returned candidate of the PDP for the 2019 senatorial election in Enugu West Senatorial District”.
 
In his acceptance speech, Ekweremadu declared the primary election as the best in the country and an example in free, fair and credible election.
 
He commended his co-contestants for joining the race, noting that he had absolutely nothing against those, who contested against him.
 
In his words:”This is the true spirit of democracy and, as a person,I like peaceful contests I salute and urge them to join hands with me to ensure that the PDP works as a family to win the main election and continue to deliver quality representation to our people. I will continue to be fair and equitable to all”, he assured.
 
At Agbani. venue of the Enugu East senatorial primary, it was jubilation galore as supporters of the former governor, who is the leader of the famous Ebeano political family, took to the streets singing and dancing in celebration of their victory.
Nnamani got 597 votes; the incumbent, Senator Gilbert Nnaji had  69; Lawrence Eze 25, Agu Gab Agu 8, Mbah joshua 8; David Nkwo Ngene 4 while 8 invalid votes were recorded.
In Enugu North,  the incumbent,  Senator Chukwuka Utazi was returned unopposed.