Hon. Ani Caleb Onyema has been elected the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for Enugu South Local Government ahead of the forthcoming council election.
The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, had fixed October 5th, 2024 for the conduct of local government election in the State.
At the primary election conducted at the Enugu South Local government headquarters on Wednesday, Hon. Ani garnered 33 votes out of the 39 delegates that are meant to vote in the exercise.
Speaking, the returning officer for the election Hon. Fidelis Agbo said 33 delegates voted while 6 were absent.
At the end of the exercise, Mr. Agbo said: “Ani Caleb Onyema having satisfied all the requirements is hereby declared the winner of the election and is returned as the candidate of the PDP for Enugu South Local Government.”
Presenting the winner of the election to the party faithfuls, the PDP party Chairman in Enugu South, Hon. Freedom Nnam said they are certain of victory at poll with Hon. Ani flying their flag.
In his acceptance speech, the winner of the election, Hon. Ani who couldn’t hide his excitement, thanked Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah for his developmental strides which he said, has contributed to the sustainance of the party.
“I’m very very delighted for this wonderful opportunity that my party has given to me to fly their flag on the 5th of October, 2024. I will be a bridge between the stakeholders of the party and the people at the grassroot.”
He appealed to all leaders of the party to “unite once again and for the common good of our people as this corporation will ensure speedy development of our council.Caleb will stand for all of us because my candidature is born out of grace and for that reason, we’ll ensure that everybody will smile.”
He expressed optimism that he will come out victorious in the main election following his years of experience and the popularity of the PDP following the uncommon transformation of Enugu state by Governor Peter Mbah.
“We’re not just passerby, we’ve been part of the system and have worked tirelessly in the party and our society. I’m a former councillor of Amaechi Uno and Obeagu Uno ward and the immediate past Leader of Enugu South Legislative House. These opportunities have exposed me to my people and we have been engaging them on individual basis and understands their plight and as such, my choice as the candidate of the party will bring a paradigm shift and we’ll come out victorious in the election.”
He assured the members of his party they will work together before, during and after the election to deliver dividends of democracy to the 13 electoral wards in their council area. He went further to assure them that nobody will be left behind.
He thanked the delegates, the State Party Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, the former Anambra Governor, HE Jim Nwobodo, the party chairman in Enugu South, Hon. Nnam; former Rep Member, Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo; Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Rural Development and Chieftancy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo; member representing Enugu South Rural constituency, Hon. Obiajulu Ugwu; immediate past chairman of the council, Chimezie Nkwuo; Hon. Sam Ngene among other stakeholders.
Conclusively, he announced Hon. Anthony Egbo as his vice.
ENSIEC staff; Egbuke Osita and Collins Okoro were on ground to monitor the exercise
