The former Commissioner for Trade and Industry in the immediate past administration in Abia State, John Okiyi Kalu, has lost his bid for the 2027 governorship ticket in the state.
Kalu and Olugu Kalu Ugba lost the ticket of the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Umuahia, the state capital, to Kelechi Anosike.
The state chairman of the party, Abraham Amah, announced the result on behalf of the seven-man panel that conducted the primary election, led by Chris Nnadi.
Amah said Anosike scored 16,543 votes, while Kalu polled 3,145 votes to place second. Ugba, a former deputy chief of staff during the administration, came last with 961 votes.
“Kelechi Anosike scored a total of 16,543 votes and is hereby returned as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 governorship election,” Amah said.
He further explained that the primary election took place in all 184 wards in the state, with 179 wards submitting their results, while five failed to do so.
“Those five wards do not have the capacity under the law to override the results of 179 wards,” he maintained.
Responding after the declaration, Anosike said he felt deeply humbled, profoundly grateful, and overwhelmed by the confidence the party had placed in him.
“I am immensely grateful to Almighty God for this moment. I thank the delegates and the stakeholders of the party for this opportunity and privilege to serve the party in this capacity,” he said.
The candidate, who has the backing of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee of the party, acknowledged the contributions of the other contestants.
“We have a collective mission, which is to reposition our great party to be able to reclaim power in the state and place it on a positive and forward-looking path,” he added.
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