Lack of ballot papers disrupts poll in Enugu East, West zones, Nnamani, Ekwerenmadu lead

Effort by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to elect candidates into Enugu West and Enugu East senatorial districts suffered glitches yesterday following dearth of ballot papers.

At Awgu, headquarters of Enugu West zone, 494 ballot papers for Udi Local Council got missing according to the party’s electoral committee.

However, 894 delegates were accredited in the zone but only 400 ballot papers were allegedly supplied.

In Agbani, the headquarters of Enugu East senatorial zone, the election process stopped midway after Isiuzo, Nkanu East, Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East councils voted leaving only Nkanu West. The council area could not vote, as there were no ballot papers to continue the process.

As at 3.15pm, Returning Officer for Enugu West senatorial primary, Innocent Ezeoha, announced that only 400 ballot papers were supplied, adding, “We have called Nsukka where the Enugu North senatorial election is taking place to supply us more.”

He, however, commenced the voting process, assuring that the materials would be supplied before other councils conclude voting.

But at the end of voting, Chimaroke Nnamani looks set to clinch the ticket of the for Enugu East senatorial zone in the 2019 elections.

Nnamani secured 579 votes yesterday to lead in the yet to be concluded Enugu East senatorial primary election.

Although he was absent, his closet rival, Gilbert Nnaji secured 69 votes to come second, while Lawrence Eze scored 25 votes.

Nnamani however could not be declared winner as one of the councils in the zone, Nkanu West election could not hold yesterday due to shortage in ballot papers.

Also, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was returned as the senatorial candidate for Enugu West. Ekweremadu who secured 603 votes beat Isaac Okay and O.A.U. Onyeama who secured 83 and 81 votes respectively.

Senator Chukwunta Utazi was also returned as the party’s flag bearer in the Enugu North senatorial election at yesterday’s primaries in Nsukka.

Meanwhile, the PDP governorship aspirant in Gombe State, Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gwamna, who defected with scores of his supporters, disclosed this during a press briefing in Gombe.

He dumped the party over alleged manipulation of the primary election in which Senator Bayero Nafada emerged winner with 1,104 votes beating 12 other contestants.