By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor David Umahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of Ebonyi South senatorial election.

Declaring the result in Afikpo North LG on Sunday, headquarters of the zone, Professor Augustine Oguguo Egwu of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, the returning officer, announced that Umahi polled 28,378 votes to beat nine other candidates.

His closest rival, Hon. Linus Okorie of the Labour Party (LP), scored 25,496 votes. The All progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Eleje, got 11,398 votes.

Egwu noted that Umahi having satisfied all the requirements of the law is declared Senator-Elect.

Speaking on the victory, Umahi dedicated his victory to God and pledged to be a senator of all Ebonyians.

Meanwhile, former governor Senator Sam Egwu, has lost his bid to return to the Senate for a third term. This is as APC made a clean sweep of all the National Assembly positions in Ebonyi North Senatorial District.

Egwu, candidate of PDP and incumbent Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial zone, lost to a former PDPD State Chairman Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi.

Nwebonyi was last night declared winner and the Senator-elect for Ebonyi North Senatorial district by INEC. Nwebonyi, candidate of APC, garnered a total of 65,863 votes.

His closest opponent, Ejiofor Vincent Chukwu of Labour Party, scored 42,283 to emerge second while Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu of PDP came a distant third with 26,569 votes.

The report was announced by the INEC Returning Officer for Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Professor Nwogo Ajuka Obasi, at the INEC Office in Abakaliki Local Government on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, a former State Chairman of the APC, Eze Nwachukwu Eze, defeated his Labour Party and PDP opponents to win the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency seat

He garnered 22,794 votes to beat his closest challenger, Ndubuisi Agbo of Labour who polled 14,168 votes

The candidate of the PDP, Victor Aleke garnered 11,611 votes to place third in the election.

Reacting, Mr Eze commended his constituents for giving him their mandate to represent them.

He thanked President Buhari for keeping to his promise to reform the electoral system to make it free and fair.

“The election has shown that there is future for Nigeria . This election in my constituency has been adjudged the most peaceful and fair since return of democracy.”

He promised to keep to the promises he made during the campaign to the people.

Mr Eze said he will introduce citizens engagement whereby communities and towns in his constituency will decide the projects they need.

“This will help us to identify the needs of the people so that we can cite appropriate projects that will touch the people’s lives.

“That way we won't go and cite projects the people do not need. If the people want school, we won't go and build hospital".

The House of Representatives member elect also promised to empower the youths and women in the constituency and by so doing reduce incidences of communal conflict, violence and criminality in the area.

He also commended his opponents for putting up a good fight during the election adding that they are all winners

Mr Eze, however, called on them to support him to enable him give the people the best representation.

The APC candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Emmanuel Uguru has been declared winner of the election for the constituency.

Mr Uguru, a former Chairman of Abakaliki local government defeated Eze Emmanuel Eze of Labour Party to emerge victorious.

The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Amos Nworie announced that Mr Emmanuel Uguru, scored a total 41,771 votes.

He said that Mr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh scored 30,877 votes to take the second position.

Prof Nworie declared that Mr Uguru having scored the highest number of votes is the winner of the Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency election.