Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
Labour Party in Rivers State has elected its governorship candidate for 2023 general elections, in person of the Rivers State Chairman of National Labour Congress (NLC), Comrd Beatrice Itubo.
Announcing the result in Port Harcourt,the Returning Officer and Vice Chairman of the party, South South Zone, Prince Reuben Favour said Mrs Itubo polled 201 votes to defeat her closest opponent, Mr Dienye Braide who scored 71 votes.
According to him, atotal number of delegates that attended the party’s primary election were 276.
“By the power conferred on me as the Returning Officer of the Labour Party gubernatorial primary election in Rivers State,Comrd Beatrice Itubo having scored the highest lawful delegates’ votes cast of 201 as against her opponent, Prince Inyie Braide who scored 71 votes stands elected and is hereby returned as Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State for the 2023 general elections,” Favour said.
In her acceptance speech shortly after the election, Itubo promised not to let the people down, pointing out that prosperity of Rivers people will top her priority of given the mandate as governor of the State in 2023.
The Labour Party flag bearer also vowed to tackle insecurity headlong if elected governor of Rivers State,come 2023.
“I want to thank the Almighty God for making the primary election today possible and successful. I also want to thank the leadership of our great party party and delegates for supporting and electing me as the party governorship candidate.
“I promise not to let you down. If elected governor of Rivers State in 2023, my administration will bring about prosperity to the people of Rivers State. We shall also tackle insecurity headlong. Thank you,” Itubo said.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the election, the Rivers State Chairman of Labour Party, Hon Eniyie Pepple debunked the claim by one Callistus Okafor that he is the National Chairman of the party.
According to him, the so-called Okafor is not a member of the party, not to talk of becoming the chairman.
He asked the Labour Party faithfuls to discountenance with the rumour of factionalisation in the party, stressing that the party is one and shall remain so.