Chidi Samuel || Oseloka Obaze has emerged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for the November 18 Anambra governorship election.
The little-known aspirant defeated Ifeanyi Ubah, Alex Obiogbulu and a senator, Stella Oduah in an election that was marred by controversy following the withdrawal of several candidates earlier in the day.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State led the committee appointed by the national leadership of the party to conduct the primary election.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, were also present to monitor the election.
A total of 958 delegates took part in the one-day exercise and at the end, Mr. Obaze, a former Secretary to the State Government, emerged victorious with 672 votes while Mr. Obiogbolu came a distant second with 190 votes.
Mr. Ubah could only garner 94 votes to place third while two votes were declared as invalid.
There was a mild drama after counting of the votes as Mr. Ubah took the microphone and protested the result, claiming the election was marred by irregularities.
But Mr. Umahi interrupted him and asked him to wait for declaration of results to make his protest.
After the declaration of the results, Mr. Ubah said the delegates list was only given to them two days to the election, unlike other parties that got their list four weeks before the primaries.
This he said made it difficult for the candidates to campaign to the delegates.
He also noted that he and some of the candidates have already instituted a case in the court to challenge the primaries because of the massive irregularities
Three other contestants, John Emeka, a former minister; Linda Ikpeazu, representing Onitsha North and South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, and Akaolisa Ufodike had earlier announced their withdrawal from the race.