By CHARLES IWUOHA

The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has zoned the Ebonyi South senatorial seat bye election to Onicha Local Government Area.

Recall that Austin Umahi, the younger brother of the Minister of Works and former governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, had on Monday declared interest in the bye election slated for February 2024.

Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone is made up of five local government areas, and out of the five, Ohaozara LGA is where the Minister of Works, INEC REC, and SSA to President hail from.

Afikpo LGA produced the deputy governor and a member of the House of Representatives. Edda LGA has the State Party Chairman, while Ivo LGA produced a member of the House of Representatives. Onicha LGA has no high-profile politicians or public office holders from the area.

It was on this premise that the leadership of APC in Ebonyi State decided to zone the senatorial seat of the party to Onicha LGA, following the resignation of David Umahi, who is now the minister of works.

The state Chairman of the party, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, said in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki on Tuesday that the zoning of the senatorial seat to Onicha LGA was to ensure justice, equity, and fairness for the people of the local government area.

The statement reads in part: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pursuant to the relevant provisions of our laws, and the President of the Senate declared the seat of Sen. David Nweze Umahi vacant, owing to his resignation from the 10th Senate for an appointment as the current Minister of Works.

“The said position resigned by Sen. David Nweze Umahi belongs to the All Progressives Congress, Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

“It is in the interest of justice, equity, and fairness, as envisaged by the leader of our great party, that the vacant seat of Ebonyi South Senatorial District be zoned to Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State.”