Mrs Catherine Amaka Ugwueze of the Peoples Democratic Party has been declared winner of the Enugu State House of Assembly bye-election for Isi-Uzo State Constituency. The seat became vacant in July this year following the death of Hon Chijioke Ugwueze, who occupied the position until his death. The PDP however fielded his wife Amaka for the bye-election held Saturday.
According to the INEC’s collation officer, Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, Mr Ugwueze polled 11,041 votes to defeat her closest rival, Ejiofor Okwor, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 2,293 votes. He revealed that the other seven political parties that contested in the bye-election scored less than 70 votes each.
Nwachukwu said, “The bye-election had 13,597 total valid votes and 391 rejected votes, while a total of 13,988 votes were cast. From the result announced and displayed herein, it is clear that the candidate of the PDP scored the highest valid votes cast. By the power conferred on me, I hereby announce that the PDP candidate is hereby duly elected.’’
The INEC’s resident electoral commissioner in Enugu State, Mr Emeka Ononamadu, commended voters for peacefully conducting themselves during the exercise. In his words, “I appreciate our INEC staff, security men, stakeholders and especially the good people of Isi-Uzo for ensuring that this bye-election was hitch-free.’’
The election was held in 11 wards of the local government.
