The Abuja-based philanthropist secured 1,037 of 1,051 votes in a rancour-free primary, promises “a new dawn” for Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo.
By DANJUMA AMODU
Abuja-based businessman and philanthropist Dr. Freeman Ezeiruaku has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, securing a landslide victory in a primary election hailed as one of the party’s most peaceful and transparent contests in recent years.
Abuja-based businessman and philanthropist Dr. Freeman Ezeiruaku has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections.
Ezeiruaku secured the ticket at a keenly contested primary held over the weekend, monitored by PDP officials deployed from both state and national levels.
Announcing the result, Returning Officer Onwe Darlington Peter declared that Ezeiruaku polled 1,037 votes out of 1,051 accredited delegates to emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
He described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and credible, adding that the outcome reflected the confidence of party members in the candidate. Agents of all other aspirants signed the result sheets, signaling broad acceptance of the process.
“Unlike what obtains in some other political parties, this was a peaceful exercise for us in the PDP. There was no disturbance, distraction, or rancour,” Peter said.
“Every accredited delegate voted, and the counting process was transparent, unlike some of the videos circulating on social media from other parties. We have concluded this stage and are now moving to the campaign phase. We are confident our candidate, Freeman, will cause a major upset in the forthcoming National Assembly elections.”
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ezeiruaku thanked party members for their trust despite what he called “challenges and temptations” in the build-up to the primary. He pledged quality, radical, and transformative representation for the constituency.
“We have been denied many things in the past, but that era is over. In the 11th National Assembly, the voice of my people will be heard clearly and loudly,” he said.
Ezeiruaku urged party faithful and residents of Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo to mobilize at the grassroots to convince the electorate that “a new dawn has truly arrived.”
In a separate appreciation message on his Facebook page, Ezeiruaku expressed gratitude to the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and PDP leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, alongside party executives and stalwarts in Anambra State, for the trust and confidence reposed in him.
Describing the victory as a call to service, he thanked delegates, supporters, and the people of the constituency for their encouragement and overwhelming support.
“This victory belongs to every individual who believes in progress, unity, and the development of our constituency. Together, we will build a brighter and stronger future for our people,” he stated.
He also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and PDP leader, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as transformational leadership and support that contributed to the victory. He further acknowledged the roles of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, Board of Trustees, BoT, and other leadership organs, promising to help restore the PDP’s strength and prominence in Anambra State.
One delegate described the exercise as one of the smoothest primaries the party has conducted. “Previous exercises were often characterised by rancour, fights, and disagreements, but this was different. It was peaceful, seamless, and rancour-free. It is a clear sign of the broad acceptance of the aspirant who is now our candidate,” he said.
The delegate pledged collective support for Ezeiruaku’s candidacy, citing his track record and grassroots ties. “We have had extensive engagements with him. We have seen his plans for our people. Besides, he is not new to us. He is not one of those who look for us every election year. We have witnessed and benefited from his philanthropic gestures, and we are confident in his intellectual and physical capacity to deliver,” he added.
