The All Progressives Congress (APC) will today elect a candidate that will fly the party’s flag in the February 3, bye-election for Ebonyi South Senatorial District. The seat became vacant following the resignation of the occupant, David Umahi, who resigned after being named in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
The APC Congress Committee from National Secretariat of the party has arrived the state and screened Professor Anthony Okorie Ani for primary election. The committee said two persons; Princess Ann Agom-Eze and Prof. Ani, purchased forms for the primary which will be conducted in Afikpo, the headquarters of the senatorial zone.
Chairman of the screening/special congress committee, Smart Iheazor disclosed this to newsmen in Abakaliki on Friday. He noted that out of the two aspirants, only Ani completed his form, returned it to the party and stood for the screening which was conducted on Thursday.
He said that Ago-Eze neither returned her form nor showed up for the screening. Iheazor said: “I am the Chairman of the screening/special congress committee of Ebonyi State bye-election for the Ebonyi South senatorial seat.
“On Thursday, we came into Abakaliki and we commenced action immediately on our assignment and we have successfully screened the aspirant that purchased the form from our national headquarters.
“Two persons purchased forms and out of the two, only one person returned the completed forms. The second person did not return her forms and also did not show up for the screening despite radio and other media announcements to that effect.
“So, we were able to successfully screen one person; Professor Anthony Okorie Ani and he was also duly cleared to run for the seat of Ebonyi South Senatorial District.
“The second person that purchased the form but did not return it to the party head office is one Princess Ann Agom-Eze. She didn’t show up for the screening neither did she return the form she purchased from the party.”
The State Chairman of APC, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha said the party has communicated security agencies in the state on the exercise to ensure a hitch-free primary. He noted that the party would field a candidate that will win the February bye-election as ordered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
