The Senator-elect for Anambra Central and incumbent member representing Njikoka/Dunukofia/Idemili North/South Federal Constituency, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, yesterday said that she won the election clearly based on merit and the precedence she had laid in the zone for the past eight years of her membership at the Federal House of Representatives.

Speaking at a press briefing in Awka, Ekwunife debunked rumours making rounds that she was planning to cross over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to be made the Senate President. She said that she remains a dedicated member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and will be sworn-in as a PDP member.

She berated one of her main rivals, Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for being a bad loser. Ekwunife wondered why an election which was fair, transparent and free should be contested in court by anybody that lost.

Her words: “I won the election massively. Even before the election, I ran into my opponents at different forums like the church and each time my name was mentioned, they saw how people responded. They knew I would win the election.

“The people elected me because they trusted me. The insinuation by the State Government that the election was rigged is only mere calling a dog a bad name to hang it. The election was credible, transparent and free. Victor Umeh lost the election and he knows he lost. I have the polling booth results which he also has; it is clear that I won. So, what other evidence is he depending on to go to court? Even if the election is conducted 1 million times, I will win him a million times.

“Umeh failed because during his campaign, he concentrated his campaign on calling me names while I was busy mobilising the youths, the women and the people to my side. He should accept defeat. In everything in life, there is time to quit and it is his time to quit.”

Ekwunife maintained that her success story came from her antecedents, hard work, prayers and accountability, adding that she never lost touch with the people that voted her to represent them.

She assured the people of Anambra Central that she will serve them well by giving them credible representation and also being the people’s senator.

Speaking at the press conference, one of the losers, Mr. Anayo Nweke, hailed Ekwunife for her victory. Nweke, the leader of Anambra State market traders union, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his show of statesmanship by accepting defeat and congratulating his opponent. He called on Nigerians especially politicians to emulate the good precedence the president has laid in the sands of time.

•Photo shows Uche Ekwunife.

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