. . . Dedicates Victory to Constituents
By Ifeoma Ezenyilimba
Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), has polled a total of 87, 108 votes to emerge the senator-elect for the Anambra South Senatorial Zone.
In the free and fair Senatorial Election held on February 23, 2019, Dr. Ubah, who got a landslide victory, floored the incumbent senator of the zone, Senator Andy Uba, who sought re-election for a third term under the platform of APC, and other contenders.
The incumbent senator’s immediate younger brother, Christian Uba of the PDP, won the second position in the senatorial election with 52,468 votes and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APGA, followed third with 51,054 votes. This was even as the incumbent senator, Senator Andy Uba of the APC, got the fourth position with 13,399 votes.
Breakdown of the official results as released by the election umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the seven local government areas that make up Anambra South Senatorial District is as follows: Ekwusigo L.G.A : APC – 2,385 votes, APGA – 6,451, PDP – 6, 614 and YPP -10,899. Orumba North L.G.A: APC – 2,007, APGA – 7, 310, PDP – 10, 012 and YPP – 7,557.
Others were Ihiala L.G.A: APC – 3, 740; APGA – 8, 981; PDP – 10, 682 and YPP – 9, 478. Orumba South L.G.A: APC – 648; APGA -5,479; PDP – 4,397 and YPP – 10,511. Nnewi South L.G.A: APC – 753; APGA – 11,176; PDP – 4,818 and YPP – 7,930. Aguata L.G.A: APC – 3,056; APGA – 9502; PDP – 10,096 and YPP – 12,632. Nnewi North LGA: APC – 810; APGA- 2155; PDP- 5849 and YPP- 28,101.
Reacting to the election victory, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah noted that it marked an elevated level of victory for democracy and rule of law in Anambra South Senatorial District. According to him, the outcome of the election, despite the stumbling blocks and setbacks faced at the earlier stage of this senatorial race, showed the unswerving determination of the people to ensure that democracy triumphed. He noted that it was a signal that no might was powerful enough to thwart the collective will of the people.
Uba, who dedicated his victory to Anambra South Senatorial Zone constituents said, ‘My decision to contest for the Anambra South Senatorial Seat is solely driven by my deep-rooted passion to champion the recovery of the Igbo economy, while consolidating on the legacies of our founding fathers. This is my bond with Ndi Anambra South’.
The Nnewi, Anambra State-born Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Ltd, thanked God for what he described as God’s grace, strength and favour, He bestowed on him thus far, saying that without Him, nothing would have been possible.
Ubah, who is also the owner of FC Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra Warriors) and Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Ozubulu/Nnewi continued, ‘I would like to use this medium to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who believed in me and this project. I am indeed, humbled by the fact that the electorate demonstrably endorsed my hopes and aspirations for a prosperous, viable and progressive Anambra South. To those of you who stood by me, through thick and thin, in pursuit of the collective betterment for Ndi Anambra South, I am thankful.
Addressing his constituents further, Ubah said, ‘To those who said we could not achieve our goal, thank you very much. You were all the motivation we needed to make this a reality. Today, as we stand poised to build and move Anambra South to unprecedented heights, I wish to reassure every one of you that I will not let you down. The confidence you all have reposed in me by virtue of this historic victory will not be taken for granted as I am under no illusion of the enormity of the task ahead’
He added, ‘The election period is now over and I am aware of the justifiably high expectations of my constituents. There is no time to revel in the outcome of the election as there is so much to be done in a bid to reposition Anambra South for greater heights. Now, it’s time to get to work’.
‘I do not have any illusion that I can realize this vision alone as I have always believed that the task of society building cannot be realized single handedly by any leader, but by the collective effort of every one of us. I hereby stretch a hand of fellowship to every other contestant. No victor, no vanquished! Let all of us, the electorate, men and women, join hands in the task of rebuilding and developing Anambra South’.