In a notable development for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, former governorship aspirant Hon. Azuka Okwuosa has secured the party’s ticket for the upcoming senatorial bye election in the Anambra South senatorial zone, scheduled for August 16.
This bye-election aims to fill the vacancy left by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away a year ago in the United Kingdom.
Okwuosa, a seasoned politician with a robust career, including roles as a local government chairman and commissioner, emerged victorious in a keenly contested primary against Mr. Obinna Uzor.
In a vote conducted by a seven-member committee from the APC National Secretariat, chaired by Chief Henry Ikoh, Okwuosa garnered 470 votes, while Uzor secured 57 votes. A total of 594 delegates participated from all seven local government areas within the senatorial zone, with 22 votes deemed invalid.
Chief Ikoh announced the results, affirming the peaceful conduct of the election witnessed by representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the media.
“By the authority given to me by the acting national vice chairman of APC, I confirm that an election was held. The exercise was peaceful, and I hereby declare that Azuka Okwuosa won the election,” he stated.
In his acceptance speech, Okwuosa expressed his gratitude for the support he received but acknowledged the mixed emotions surrounding his victory due to the legacy of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
“There is no winner, there is no loser. APC won. The greater battle is out there, and APC, as a party at the centre, is poised to win the election to continue the legacy of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah,” he remarked.
Reflecting on Ubah’s impact, Okwuosa expressed his determination to build on the late senator’s contributions, stating,
“He was a great senator and within the period he was in the Senate, he did a lot. I see it as a challenge for me to take over from where he stopped.”
Born on November 3, 1959, in Jos, Plateau State, Okwuosa hails from a devout Christian family in Anambra State. He has previously contested for the governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and had a brief association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003 before joining the APC.
His experience includes serving as the chairman of the Nnewi North Local Government Council and Commissioner for Works and Transport in Anambra State, as well as Secretary-General of the South-East Development Initiative from 2002 to 2010.