The much expected party primaries to produce who represents the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State in the 2023 general elections has come and gone.
And as expected, some Aspirants lost, while others won the primaries for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate tickets.
In the House of Assembly, not much shock were recorded, except in areas where zonings were smashed for some sitting candidate to stage a return.
In Owerri North, Owerri Municipal, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Mbaitoli, Oguta and Orlu State Constituencies, the incumbent House of Assembly members returned against the zoning system that existed in such areas for long before now.
Hon Philip Ejiogu won the primary, as against the existing agreement in Owerri North. So also Solomon Anukam (Owerri Municipal), Paschal Okolie (Orlu), Onyekanma (Mbaitoli), Anyadike Nwosu (Ezinihitte) and Ogboma (Oguta).
However, shocking developments were recorded in the House of Representatives and Senate as some new Aspirants dethroned the sitting Lawmakers.
In Owerri Federal Constituency, Hon Ikenna Elezianya escaped from some scares from Kelechi Nzewuiche.
In Ngor Okpala/Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency, Hon Bede Eke was not lucky enough as Engr Albert Agulana was picked as the winner of the tensely contested primary.
In Obowo/Ihitte Uboma/Ehime Mbano Federal Constiteuncy, Hon Jonas Okeke staged a comeback, having represented the Federal Constituency before.
In Ikeduru/Mbaitoli Federal Constituency, Hon Henry Nwawuba withdrew from the race giving Chief Osmond Ukanaso a free hand to emerge.
It was in the Senate Seat that the highest upset was recorded in Owerri Senatorial zone (Imo East) where Hon Uche Onyeagocha defeated Distinguished Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi to clinch to keenly contested position.
In Orlu, Hon Jones Onyereri, who controversially lost the Senate seat to former Governor Rochas Okorocha in 2019 still picked PDP ticket for 2023 election.
For Okigwe Senatorial Zone, Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu emerged the winner, after demolishing Bar Ifeanyi Araraume, son of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.
However, pundits are saying that those who lost have done their best for their people, and now is time to hand over the Baton to new faces.
Senator Ezenwa has been to the House of Representatives twice, and once in the Senate.
Hon Bede Eke is a two time member of Imo House of Assembly before proceeding to the Federal House where he spent two terms of Eight years.
Sources from Imo PDP told Trumpeta that there is not even one petition against the exercise that produced the party candidates, describing all those who lost as real party members, whose experience would be explored by Imo PDP for the peace and progress of the party.
