By Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
Eighteen (18) lawmakers of the current Imo State House of Assembly have failed in their bid to return to the 10th assembly in the just concluded election in the state.
The 10th House of Assembly is expected to take off in June 2023.
Only eight members of the 9th assembly were re-elected to the House, which includes Deputy Speaker Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele), Majority Leader Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West), former Speaker Kennedy Ibeh (Obowo), Ogbunikpe Chidiebere Samuel (Okigwe), Nwaneri Chigozie Reginald (Oru East), Eddy Obinna (Aboh Mbaise), Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West) and Duru Johnson (Ideato South)
However, due to condemnation and calls for cancellation of the election on the conduct of the State Assembly election held on March 18 by opposition parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared 26 candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winners of the polls.
The electoral umpire also declared that the Ahiazu Mbaise state Assembly election is inconclusive.
The lawmakers of the 9th assembly who will not return to the State Assembly include those who either lost return nomination tickets in the APC or secured tickets to vie for House of Reps seats but lost at the Party’s Primary, those who decamped to other political parties and those who did not seek to contest for any office.
Also in this category are candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Labour Party, who failed to win re-election to the hallowed chambers.
They include Innocent Egwim (Ideato North), Phillip Ejiogu (Owerri North, PDP), Okey Onyekanma (Mbaitoli, PDP), Frank Ugboma (Oguta, PDP), Solomon Anukam (Owerri Municipal, PDP), Hercules Okoro (Labour Party, Ohaji/Egbema), Blyden Amajirionwu (APC, Ngor Okpala LGA), Crown Onyemaechi (APC, Ihitte Uboma), Obinna Okwara (PDP, Nkwerre), Uju Onwudiwe (APC, Njaba), Uche Ogbuagu ( Ikeduru, Labour Party, vied for Reps), Chiji Collins (APC, Isiala Mbano), Paul Emeziem (APC, Onuimo), Ekene Nnodimele (APC, Orsu), Anyadike Nwosu (PDP, Ezinihitte Mbaise), Paschal Okolie (APC, Orlu). Emeka Nduka (APC, Ehime Mbano), Ngozi Obiefule (APC, Isu)
The electoral umpire has declared the state assembly election in Ahiazu Mbaise inconclusive, which means that the APC candidate Samuel Otuibe will have to wait for fresh polls.
The fresh members elected in Saturday Assembly polls include Ugochukwu Obodo (Owerri Municipal), Uche Agabige (Orsu), Obinna Egu (Ngor Okpala), Nwosu Gilbert Chiedozie (Oguta), Innocent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli), Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu), Udeze Okechukwu( Ideato North), Chike Olemgbe( Ihitte Uboma), James Esile (Onuimo), Sam Osuji (Isiala Mbano), Kelechi Offurum (Owerri North), Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre), Emeka Ozurumba( Isu), Francis Osuoha (Ohaji/Egbema), Johnloe Iheoha (Ikeduru), Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Bernard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano), Ozioma Ebonile (Njaba).
They won under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
