By Emeka Ozumba
The wife of the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Dr (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano has emerged winner of a hard-fought battle for the Anambra North Senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance held last Saturday at the Onitsha North Local Government Area headquarters.
Mrs Obiano, who is also the founder of the charity organisation, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, polled 152 votes to beat her closest rival, former Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Primus Odili who got 120 votes.
The primary was earlier scheduled to hold on Friday at Anambra East Local Government headquarters but was moved for what was described as security concerns.
Other contestants were former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Chief Tony Nnachetta with five votes and Hon Sam Onwuteaka who got two votes.
Below is a breakdown of the votes recorded by Mrs Obiano and Odili:
Anambra East: Mrs Obiano 2; Odili 36
Anambra West: Mrs Obiano 1; Odili 29
Ayamelum: Mrs Obiano 20; Odili 11
Ogbaru: Mrs Obiano 23; Odili 23
Onitsha North: Mrs Obiano 30; Odili 14
Onitsha South: Mrs Obiano 33; Odili 7
Oyi: Mrs Obiano 43; Odili 0
TOTAL:
Mrs Obiano = 152
Chief Odili = 120
Chief Nnacheta = 5
Hon Onwuteaka = 2
Reacting the election outcome, Leader of Mrs Obiano’s Team at the Primary Election, who was Transition Chairman of Oyi Local Government Area, Engr Nnamdi Nwadogbu, said that Osodieme was a First Lady of the grassroots who touched many lives. He attributed the result to God’s grace and the hardwork of a dedicated team, as well as the massive support and encouragement of people from across the Senatorial District.
Mrs Obiano’s victory was particularly thrilling because the opposition was made up of elements from her husband’s administration, who were her mentees few months earlier.
