Mr Kingsley Chinda has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Rivers State, after contesting unopposed.
The Returning Officer, Mr Bitrus Kwamoti, announced that Chinda secured a total of 268,497 votes, which he said reflected the total support recorded from party members across the state.
According to him, the result captured the full participation of APC delegates who endorsed the candidate during the exercise.
“The figure represents a true and accurate record of the votes collated across the state during the exercise,” he said.
Kwamoti further stated that Chinda, who currently serves as a Member of the House of Representatives, met all constitutional provisions and electoral guidelines required for the primaries.
He also noted that the exercise was conducted in a peaceful and organised manner across all wards in the state.
“The exercise was free, fair and orderly. It was in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines,” he said.
The returning officer praised party members and residents of Rivers State for their disciplined conduct throughout the process.
Meanwhile, an APC chieftain in the state, Chief Felix Obuah, described Chinda’s emergence as a strong boost for the party’s chances in the forthcoming governorship election.
“Our party has presented the best candidate for the governorship election. I am personally grateful to God.
“With the outcome of this exercise, I can tell you that Rivers people are united irrespective of ethnic background,” he said.
Obuah further described Chinda as a reliable and experienced administrator with a firm commitment to the development of Rivers State.
It would be recalled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alongside Mr Tonye Cole and George Kelly, had earlier withdrawn from the race, leaving Chinda to contest unopposed.
