A former Accountant-General of Rivers, Mr Siminialaye Fubara, has clinched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial ticket for the 2023 general election with a total of 721 votes.
The Chairman of the electoral panel, Prof. Walter Mbutu, declared him winner, following a peaceful delegate election held on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The runner-up, Mr Kamala Isaac secured 86 votes, followed by Mr George Kelly with 37 votes while Mr Tammy Danagogo polled 36 votes.
Others were West Morga and David Briggs who got four votes each while Mr Felix Obuah, the immediate past Chairman of the party, garnered two votes.
In his acceptance speech, Fubara thanked the party and the delegates for the support, describing his win as a victory for the party and a step towards moving the state forward.
“The purpose of this congress is to consolidate on the achievements of the present administration,” he added.
He, however, assured the people of his readiness to work in harmony with the party to sustain the ‘’wonderful’’ achievements of Gov. Nyesom Wike-led administration, and urged other contestants to support the cause.
In his remarks, Wike thanked the contestants for participating in the process and supporting the party while expressing optimism that the party would be victorious during the general elections.
“Power comes from God; so everybody should see his (Fubara’s) emergence as God’s wish for the state,” he said.
Adressing the congress before the election, the Chairman of the party, Mr Desmond Akawo, had thanked members of the party for a successful congresses across the wards and constituencies.
He urged them to replicate same in the gubernatorial primary election.
The voting process which commenced at about 6: 10p.m. recorded 980 registered delegates from the 23 local government areas of the state with three (one female, two male) delegates drawn from each ward.
A total of 898 voters were accredited out of whom cast 890 valid votes while eight votes were voided.