By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Governor, Engr David Umahi, has expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s Local Government elections in the state, reaffirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will sweep the chairmanship seats and councillorship.

Umahi who spoke in his polling unit, 013 at Umunaga ward, his hometown in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, while casting his vote, commended the Ebonyi State lndependent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) for conducting free, fair and credible council polls.

News Express Correspondent who monitored the election observed that the Council poll was violent-free in the 13 LGAs and 171 political wards in the state.

Umahi noted that Ebonyi State is totally PDP loyal and explained that about 10 political parties participated in the election to elect the council Chairmen and ward councillors.

“The turnout is very, very impressive. I’m delighted even more delighted with the turnout, delighted with seriousness of this exercise and also happy that Ebonyi State is 100% PDP and for this we are very happy.

“I don’t know the number of parties but not less than 10 political parties are participating but you go to where you have taken your bath to look for your cloth so they participate for mere formality because I believe that the miracles of Ebonyi State are anchored on PDP.

On other states that are yet to conduct their own Local Government elections, he expressed hope that all governors would understand the requirements of the law and work according to their priority and will conduct their own Local Council election at the appropriate time.

On his expectation in 2023, Umahi said: “I’m expecting God’s miracle to take place in 2023.”

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs. Queen Agwu, in her remarks at Umuobuna/Uhuaba primary school polling unit where she exercised her franchise said the smoothness of the election was because Uburu people are politically enlightened and have produced two Governors.

“The process is smooth the people are not been chased to come and vote; they are coming out by themselves because over time we have learned how to elect our leaders.

“We don’t believe in sitting in the house to grumble and when the wrong person is chosen you begin to cry and complain. So that is why men and women who are legible trooped out to vote. No fighting, no quarrelling. People are happy voting as you can see.”

After casting his vote in his polling unit, Onicha Local Government, the PDP chairmanship candidate, Hon Felix Ogbonna Igboke, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election as voters were all adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocol.

He stated that the turnout of voters in the election was encouraging and the exercise was free from violence, reiterating that he was positive that he would be successful and clinch the chairmanship seat in Onicha LGA.

One of the candidates for Ohaozara Local Government chairmanship, Mrs. Chinyere Iyioku, lauded the Governor Umahi for his encouragement. “People came out en-masse to vote and the voting process was peaceful. If given the opportunity to continue to chair this LG, I’ll continue from where we stopped in my previous administration,” she said.

In the same vein, the PDP chairmanship candidate for Afikpo South Local Government, Barr. Eni lduma Chima, has advocated for three or four years tenure for elected Chairmen and councillors in the state.

Chima, who was the immediate past council chairman of the Local Government and seeking re-election, stated this while casting his vote at Amaeke ward A 006. He applauded the people for the massive turnout.

“I’m happy with my people; the way they turned out. Because of the election, they came back from across the country. That shows the love the people have for me and the state especially the ongoing infrastructural development in the state.”

Update news