Siminialayi Fubara, former accountant-general of Rivers State recently declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has emerged candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate of the 2023 election.
Mr Fubara, who is wanted by the anti-graft agency over N435 billion fraud, polled 721 votes to defeat a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Isaac Kamalu, who scored 86, at the primary election of the party in Port Harcourt.
He hails from Opobo Nkoro Local Government Area of the state and had recently resigned as from office as the state account-general to focus on his governorship ambition.
His ambition is widely speculated to have the blessings of the state governor, Nyesom Wike, who is himself a presidential aspirant in the same party.
The chairman of the primary organising committee, Walter Mbotu, declared Mr Fubara winner having satisfied the conditions of the party guidelines and scored the highest number of votes.
Mr Mbotu, a professor, while addressing party members at Obi Wale Conference Centre, venue of the primary, said although 980 delegates were expected at the primary, 898 were accredited while eight void votes were recorded.
He earlier promised a free, fair and transparent governorship primary.
The Nation newspaper reported that Felix Obua got two votes, David Brigs scored four votes, West Morgan had four votes while Tammy Danagogo and George Kelly had 36 and 37 votes respectively, and others scored zero