Senator Chukwumerije’s ambition to return to the return to the Senate for a fourth term was today truncated as he lost to former Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, by 21 votes to 103 while Governor Theodore Orji scaled through unchallenged.

In the primaries to pick Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for next year’s senatorial election in Abia State, Governor Theodore Orji, a sole candidate, was elected with 221 votes to emerge the flagbearer for Abia Central Senatorial Zone while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was elected as the PDP candidate for Abia South Senatorial Zone.

At the Abia Central Senatorial Disitrict primary held at the Umuahia Township Stadium, one void vote was recorded among the total 222 votes cast for the governor.

The Returning Officer, Chief Ndidi Okereke, said delegates for the primary numbered 230 but 222 were accreditedwere not accredited, adding that having met the constitutional requirements, the governor was returned as candidate of the PDP for the 2015 polls.

In Ohafia where there have been fierce campaigns for Ohuabunwa and Chukwumerije, those for Ohuabunwa finally carried the day as he emerged the PDP candiadate for Abia North Senatorial District, having polled majority of the votes cast.

It was an easy win for the Senate Committee Chairman on Information, Abaribe, who beat his rival with 169 votes after one of the serious contenders, Chief Chris Nkwonta, had pulled out of the contest.

Accepting his election, Governor Orji thanked the people for the confidence they have reposed in him and promised not to disappoint them.

He enjoined all the party faithful to remain united to work hard so as to nick victory for PDP in the 2015 general elections in the state.

•Photo shows Senator Uche Chukwumerije.