2027: Oriji clinches ADC governorship ticket in Ebonyi
ADC Declares Nnabuike Winner of Governorship Primary in Ebonyi State
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced Mr. Oriji Tobias Nnabuike as the winner of its governorship primary election in Ebonyi State, a pivotal event leading up to the 2027 general elections.
Mr. Bassie Umoke, the Coordinator of Electoral Matters and State Returning Officer, revealed the election results shortly after the primary, which took place at the party’s state office in Abakaliki. Nnabuike received 6,400 votes, emerging victorious from a contest that spanned 171 wards across the state.
Umoke noted that 6,730 party members were accredited to vote across the 13 local government areas, with 6,400 delegates participating in the election process. He emphasized that the primary was organized in accordance with directives from the party’s national leadership and adhered to electoral procedures throughout.
The results were transmitted from individual wards to constituency and local government collation centers before reaching the state collation center for final declaration. Umoke explained that this thorough process contributed to the time taken to finalize the results, reinforcing the party’s commitment to transparency and credibility.
The ADC utilized an electronic membership register to help prevent irregularities typically associated with party primaries, ensuring that the reported figures were verifiable. “We want to change the narrative and make Nigeria workable,” Umoke stated, adding that every registered member effectively became a delegate for congresses and primaries.
Dr. Jennifer Adibe, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the ADC, characterized the primaries as peaceful, transparent, and successful. She also announced that the party had nominated candidates for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats in preparation for the upcoming elections.
Adibe indicated that while some candidates were selected through consensus, others were chosen via direct primaries, influenced by the number of aspirants for each position. She dismissed security concerns during the primaries, asserting that security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, effectively managed the event’s oversight.
Adibe expressed confidence that the ADC would establish itself as a competitive political force in the 2027 elections, taking on dominant parties in the state.
Dr. Pascale Okafor, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Primary Election Committee, praised party members for maintaining order and peace throughout the primaries. He characterized the process as orderly and compliant with electoral regulations.
In a similar vein, Princess Nneka Nnebu, Deputy National Auditor of the ADC and Secretary of the Electoral Committee in Ebonyi State, commended the turnout of officials and delegates, noting that the primary faced no significant challenges during its execution.
