Abia PDP guber primary: Isiala Ngwa North PDP adopts Ahiwe as sole aspirant

*As support grows for CoS

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

The chances of the incumbent Chief of Staff (CoS) to Abia State Governor, Okey Ahiwe, replacing late Prof. Uche Ikonne as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate brightened on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, following his adoption by Isiala Ngwa North PDP stakeholders, as their sole aspirant for the party’s fresh guber primary election.

Ahiwe has been widely tipped to win the governorship primary scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Umuahia township stadium. Apart from the Isiala Ngwa North PDP stakeholders, many support groups and individuals have been pledging their support for the humble Chief of Staff.

The Oracle Today gathered that a day after his adoption by Isiala Ngwa North PDP stakeholders,  many party faithful flocked to Abuja on Thursday to accompany Ahiwe who went for screening by the PDP National Working Committee at the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat, to show their solidarity and support.

It was learnt that Isiala Ngwa stakeholders endorsed andadopted Ahiwe during a well-attended meeting, presided over by the Isiala Ngwa local government PDP Chairman, Elder Sam Esindu. The meeting was held at the Okpuala Ngwa party office.

Sources at the meeting said that Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Sir Christopher Enweremadu, moved the motion for Ahiwe’s adoption as the sole candidate of the PDP local chapter for tomorrow’s governorship primary.

Chief Iyke Anugwa, a PDP chieftain in the area, seconded the motion which received an overwhelming support through voice vote by party faithful in attendance.

While earlier explaining the unfortunate circumstance that led to the call for the fresh PDP guber primary in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Enweremadu had described Chief Okey Ahiwe as a suitable replacement for late Prof. Ikonne, who, hitherto, was the party’s flag bearer.

The Commissioner added that Chief Ahiwe has successfully discharged all tasks assigned to him in the past and called for support of all and sundry in other to ensure the party’s resounding victory in the forthcoming general elections.

He further commended the Leader of the party and Governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, alongside members of the Party Caucus in the state, for once again, micro-zoning the Abia Guber ticket to Isiala Ngwa North, maintaining that the party has by the singular gesture, exhibited wisdom, maturity and their love for the people of Isiala Ngwa North.

He pledged the readiness of members of the party in Isiala Ngwa North to deliver all PDP candidates during general elections.

Lending their voices, the a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike, a former Chieftain of the All progressive Congress, Chief Onyekachi Onyenkwere, Dr. Sam Ahiwe, among other PDP chieftains in Isiala Ngwa North, described Chief Okey Ahiwe as a round peg in a round hole, as he’s a man whose humility and sense of humour have endeared him to everyone, including members of the opposition. They therefore urged everyone to queue behind him for Saturday’s Primary election.

In his goodwill message, a former member of the Abia House of Assembly from Ugwunagbo, Hon Humphrey Azubuike, commended the Stakeholders of the party in Isiala Ngwa North for their unity and cooperation, and urged greater support for Chief Okey Ahiwe.

Earlier in his remarks, the PDP Chairman for Isiala Ngwa North, Elder Sam Esindu, had explained that the aim of the meeting was for members to be acquainted with the recent twist of events in the polityand stressed the need for the party in Isiala Ngwa North to keep their house in order ahead of the fresh governorship primary scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2023.

Esindu thanked party faithful in attendance for their efforts and sacrifices so far, urging them not to relent.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Okey Ahiwe expressed gratitude to the party members for their show of support and solidarity, promising to live up to expectations if elected as the party’s governorship flag bearer.

The group had earlier observed a minute silence in honor of late Prof Uche Ikonne.

Those present at the meeting were the PDP candidate for Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, Chief Collins Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu, Chief Friday Onukwue, Elder G. O. C Nnaji, Hon Armstrong Chimezie Okoronkwo, Mrs. Tina Atasie and the LGA woman leader, Mrs. Justina Ikonne. As well as members of the state party executive.