R-L: Deputy Governorship Candidate, Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe, Governorship Candidate, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne and Bishop Ibrabuchi, during the Dedication Service
PDP zones vacant Abia guber seat to Isiala Ngwa
Sopuruchi Onwuka
The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has activated moves to solidify its leading position in the govership race in Abia State, asking Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area to present a replacement candidate for late Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne.
In a statement signed by the Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary of the party in Abia State, Hon. Elder Abraham Amah, the PDP announced a decision to allow the people of Isiala Ngwa North council area to produce the replacement candidate for the party in line with the directives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Late Prof Ikonne hailed from the area, informing the decision of the party to allow the zone to produce another candidate that will lock horns with peer contestants from other parties come the gubernatorial polls.
The Oracle today reports that the news of Prof. Ikonne’s death on January 25, 2023 poured cold water on the vibrant political campaign programme of the PDP in Abia State, as well meaning citizens and residents of the state discarded party divide to mourn the erudite politician whose campaign promises raised hopes of accelerated development of the state.
The late Prof Ikonne had forged a strong political alliance with the people of Isuochi in Umunneochi council area in Abia North senatorial district to connect a long bridge of party loyalty and hog full span of the state with pan-PDP camaraderie.
The socio-political pact had solidified with the choice of the Honourable Member representing the local government area in the Abia State House of Assembly, Barrister Okey Igwe, as the running mate of late Prof Ikonne in the governorship contest.
The PDP campaign organization in the state, termed “Uche Ndi Abia di Okey” propounded innovative governance model that advanced propositions for development of efficient factors of production and elevation of human resource quality as key agenda of the next PDP administration of the state’s government.
Despite his sudden, sad and regrettable demise, the Prof Ikonne-led Uche Ndi Abia campaign programme has advanced the PDP in the leading position of the governorship race in Abia State. And the decision of members of the Abia PDP State Caucus to zone the guber seat to Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, the home LGA of the late Prof. Uche Ikonne, is seen as strategic in sustaining the party’s campaign momentum and addressing equity concerns in the rotation of political positions in the state.
According to Amah the decision was taken after a meeting of the Abia PDP State Caucus whose membership is drawn from across the State including Abia North, Ikwuano/Umuahia, Ukwa East and Ukwa West Local Government areas.
Among those present at the meeting were the State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia State Senator Theodore A. Orji, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji and the other two senatorial candidates of the PDP, namely Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Col. Austin Akobundu respectively.
“Also present at the meeting were the statutory members of the Abia PDP State Caucus except one who sent in an apology for his absence.
“The Party urges members to support the decision of the Party caucus and work towards a successful primary election coming up on February 4, 2023.
“The Party also calls on members to remain vigilant and expect more information and briefings from the Publicity Department of the Abia PDP in due course,” he stated.
