The All Progressives Congress (APC) Abia State has elected Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu as the new chairman of the party in the state. The election became necessary after the death in December of the former chairman, Mazi Enyi Harbor, who was elected into the office during the state congress of the party earlier in October.
Announcing the result in Umuahia, the state capital, the Special Congress Committee chairman, Hon Kolawole Babatunde said, Ononogbu, who was the sole candidate, was unanimously elected polling 1,067 votes out of 1,075 cast.
According to the two-term former federal lawmaker from Ondo State, there were 1,085 delegates to the congress out of which 1,080 were accredited with eight void votes recorded.
Speaking to newsmen after announcing the result, he said the exercise was fair and transparent just as it was directed by the leadership of the party under the chairmanship of Governor Mai Mala Bunu of Yobe State.
In his acceptance speech, Ononogbu expressed appreciation to the delegates and the entire members of the party for finding him capable of occupying the office especially with the general election less than 13 months away.
He said his responsibility would be taxing as it is coming at a time when the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wants to return to power by all means in 2023 despite its 24 years of misrule and maladministration.
Dr. Ononogbu a former general manager, Risk Management, Spring Bank Plc, also served as chief inspector, Citizens Bank Plc, appealed for support of the members and residents of the state to change the narrative as “the time for the needed change in the state has began in earnest.”
Paying tributes to his predecessor, he described him as a very honest, committed and sincere leader, adding that they owe him a duty to strive to achieve the goal of winning the election to set a new agenda for the state.
Similarly, the former publicity secretary of the party, Comrade Benedict Godson said dissenting voices after the parallel congresses have been harmonized and pledged his loyalty to Ononogbu.
Godson, who led four officers produced by the parallel state congress conducted by the former executive committee of the party to the congress, added that its prospect of victory in next year’s election remains high.
Others who spoke at the occasion include the deputy chief whip of the House of Representatives, Rep Nkiruka Onyejeocha (Umunneochi/Isuikwuato) and Barr F. N. Nwosu, a leader of the party in the state.
The exercise which was peaceful and orderly was observed by Independent National Electoral Commission officers from the national headquarters, Abuja and the state along with different security agencies.