Ekweremadu creates history by being returned for a record fifth time in Enugu West

DEPUTY senate president Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been returned to the national Assembly for a record fifth tenure after the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) declared him the winner of the Enugu West Senatorial District elections.

Senator Ekweremadu, 56, standing as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), romped home in the district that is made up of Oji River, Aninri, Ezeagu, Awgu, and Udi local government areas. Professor Douglas Nwagbo, the Inec returning officer, released the figures showing that Senator Ekweremadu polled 86,088 votes, ahead of his closest rival Juliet Ibekaku-Nwaugwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who got 15,187 votes.

Shortly after the announcement of the result, Senator Ekweremadu thanked the people of his district, his political party and his family, including friends and well-wishers. He said the circumstances leading to his election makes it unique, being the first man to be elected five consecutive times across the entire southeast.

Senator Ekweremadu said: “I am not taking this election for granted, especially by the unprecedented nature of my election. This is the first time within this part of Nigeria that someone would be elected consecutively for five times into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it has never happened and I am not taking it for granted.

"I indeed feel very humbled and I give all the glory and thanks to the Almighty God who has made it possible. Recall that about a year ago, we went through a lot of storm for the major part of 2018 so nobody believed that a day like this will come where I will stand for an election and be declared winner, so, only God can make that possible.

“I must also thank my friends and associates, the great people of Enugu West, very industrious people, highly civilized people, highly accomplished people, very educated people, who in spite of the fact that I am just a little boy from Mpu, have given me this unprecedented opportunity. I would like to thank the Inec officials for their commitment to our democracy, the security agents for their patience and professionalism."

Following his victory, Senator Ekweremadu will be expected to be a major contender for the presidency in 2023 as the PDP may be looking to zone the position to the southeast. If his party secures a majority in the senate, he is also expected to become one of the principal officers of the upper chamber.