*Aguocha wins Abia Speaker, as Ogah sacks Onyejeocha, Nnamni stops Ebisike
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Labour Party has swept last Saturday’s National Assembly polls in Abia State, leaving in the wake of its political hurricane, a series of upsets.
According to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia State, Labour Party has won six of the eight House of Representatives seats; leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) to share the remaining two seats. The LP has also secured one of the three senatorial seats.
Among the biggest upsets is the victory of LP’s Obinna Aguocha (Udo Ji Agu Ohuhu Gburugburu) who trounced the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, the candidate of the PDP, in the race for the .
Aguocha polled 48,199 votes to beat the Abia Speaker who was angling to graduate to the Green chamber of the House of Representatives. Orji got 35,196 votes in the race for Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency seat.
The Returning Officer Prof U. Oke, therefore declared Agouacha as the member-elect for Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Amobi Ogah, the candidate of Labour Party for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, dusted the House of Representatives Deputy Whip, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who was aiming to return to the Green Chambers for a record unbroken fifth term of 16 years in the House of Representatives.
Amobi who is the younger brother of immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Uche Sampaon Ogah, secured 11, 769 votes to retire Onyejeocha who got 8, 752 votes.
In Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Emeka Nnamani (LP) beat Chimaobi Ebisike of the PDP and the incumbent representative of the constituency.
Ibe Okwara Osonwa (LP) polled 8, 946 votes to defeat Dan Okeke (PDP) who got 6, 635 votes to win the contest for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency slot.
The result was declared by the Returning Officer, John Osuji; at the Ohafia Collation Centre.
For Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, the LP candidate, Hon. Munachim Alozie, dusted his PDP opponent, Eze Nwanganga.
INEC had on Sunday, declared Ginger Onwusibe, the candidate of Labour Party and currently the member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency at Abia House of Assembly, winner of the Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa Federal Constituency.
Also, the Commission had on Sunday, declared Hon Benjamin Kalu, spokesman of the House of Representatives and All Progressives Congress candidate the winner of Bende Federal Constituency.
In the Senatorial race, a two-time member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, the Labour Party candidate for Abia Central Senatorial zone, got 92, 116 votes to give the Labour Party its first Senatorial in Abia State. Nwokocha defeated the formidable Col. Austin Akobundu of PDP who scored 41,447 votes to place second.
Prof. Udo Herbeer, the Returning Officer, declared Nwokocha the Senator-elect for Abia Central Senatorial district.
However, Senate Chief whip, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, staged a comeback as he was declared winner of the Abia North senatorial contest.
The Returning Officer for Abia North, Mr. Chinedu Nnamdi, said Kalu polled 30,805 votes to beat his closest rival, the Labour Party Candidate, Nnamdi Iro Orji, who got 27,540 votes. Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of PDP came third with 15, 175 votes.
The Result of Abia South Senatorial election in which the state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is running against Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, is still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.