MR Erastus Awortu, who was elected the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming Rivers council poll has dedicated his victory at the primaries to the party and his area council.
Awortu made the declaration on Sunday at Ngo town, Headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers shortly after he was returned as the flag bearer for the PDP.
“I want to thank my people, the Andoni chapter of this great party, starting from the party’s leadership who considered me worthy to contest the forthcoming local government council election on the platform of our great party, PDP.
“I want to specially commend the delegates who unanimously agreed on sending me to contest in the election.
“I urge you to stand with me all through this period so that by the end of electioneering, we will successfully deliver the party at the poll and the victory will be a victory for everyone.
“I want to also assure party members, that the party is for us all and not for a selected few, the party is one and it will continue to remain indivisible as we shall strive toward deepening unity in the party,” Erastus said.
Meanwhile, Mr Sunny Ejeku, Returning Officer for the party primary, said that 257 delegates were accredited while 237 of the accredited number voted for Awortu.
“So, by the powers conferred on me by the state chairman of the PDP, I hereby, announce and declare Mr Erastus Awortu as being elected as Chairmanship Candidate of the PDP by the people of Andoni LGA.
“You are hereby, returned to fly the flag of PDP as the chairmanship candidate in the forthcoming local government council election slated for April 17 ,” he said.
Reacting, Mr Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani, the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and the lawmaker representing Andoni State Constituency, noted that power belonged to God as he described the choice of Awortu as the handwork of God.
“I want to commend the disposition of party stalwarts since we came in here to officially present the candidate who will fly our flag in the forthcoming local government council election in the state.
“Today, our primary is proof of the fact that PDP is a party that truly understands what democracy is all about.
“Our internal democracy is second to none, Andoni is one of the local governments in the state that has consistently upheld the rules of internal democracy for 22 years now.
“At at every point we do this, we are always sure that a candidate emerges winner; today, I want to assure Awortu of my support,” he said.
Ibani also thanked the council’s chairman for cooperating with the party on its decision to project Awortu.
“Let me also thank the executive chairman of the council, Mr Paul Lawrence, you have indeed created an enabling environment for us to conduct this party primary.
“You know that we all are loyalists to the party, you too by your presence today has shown that you are loyal.
“Though you showed interest for a second tenure when you got to know about the party’s decision, you peacefully stepped down for Awortu and I commend your spirit of sportsmanship,” he said
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