BREAKING: Waive reelected, defeats closest rival Awhinawhi with 9,835 votes

By Akpos Oghenetega,

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared the member representing Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon (Revd) Francis Ejiroghene Waive reelected.

Revd Waive, a serving All Progressives Congress House of Reps member defeated his closest rival, a PDP former two-time member of the House of Reps, Hon Solomon Awhinawhi with 9,835 votes.

Declaring the result, the INEC returning officer for the Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal Constituency House of Reps elections, Prof Marylyn Edema, said that Revd Francis Waive of the APC scored a total vote of 42,226 to defeat the PDP candidate, Hon Solomon Awhinawhi who scored 32,391 votes.

According to the declared result, Waive defeated Hon Solomon Awhinawhi in Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu local government which constitutes the Federal Constituency, and this is the second defeat he has suffered in the hands of Waive in the past four years.

Reacting after being declared the winner of the House of Representatives seat for Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal Constituency, while thanking God for His grace that saw him through, said that though he expected the victory, he is however, overwhelmed by the widespread victory across the three Local Government Areas.

According to him; “first, I must begin by thanking the Almighty God to whom power actually belongs. And then my people the good people of Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal Constituency who have for the first time returned a serving member of the House of Representatives for a second term.

“While I expected to win, I am overwhelmed by the widespread victory across the three Local Government Areas. This is a serious responsibility. I now have to beat the record I set in my first tenure. I assure our people that I will continue to give them that robust and impactful representation that made them re-elect me. I will not discriminate against anyone for any reason. I am a Rep for the entire people of Ughelli North Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency.

“And going back to the House as a ranking member our people can only expect more of the dividends of Democracy.

“This is a victory for all the people of our federal constituency. Together we will make a difference for our people.

“I dedicate it to the Almighty God and pledge to serve him and my people again with the office.”