By PRECIOUS AKUTAMADU,

Mr Kingsley Chinda has been declared the winner of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Rivers.

Mr Bitrus Kwamoti, the Returning Officer, announced that Chinda who was returned unopposed, polled a total of 268,497 votes.

He said that the figure represented the number of APC faithful that voted in support of Chinda across the state.

“The figure represents a true and accurate record of the votes collated across the state during the exercise,” he said.

Kwamoti said that Chinda, a Member of the House of Representatives, satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines for the election.

The returning officer said that the election was peacefully and orderly conducted in all the wards across the state.

“The exercise was free, fair and orderly. It was in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines,” he said.

Kwamoti commended party members and people of Rivers for their orderly conduct during the exercise.

Chief Felix Obuah, an APC chieftain in Rivers, said that with Chinda, the party now stood a formidable chance of winning the governorship poll in Rivers.

“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 described Chinda as a dependable and trusted administrator with strong commitment to the development of Rivers.

It would be recalled that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Mr Tonye Cole, and George Kelly withdrew from the race paving the way for Chinda to stand unopposed. (NAN)

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