Home support grows for Ikonne, Abia PDP governorship candidate
*As Isiala Ngwa Youths declare support
From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia
The groundswell of home support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 Governorship Candidate in Abia State, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, is on the increase as youths from Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area under the aegis of Isiala Ngwa North Youth Congress have organized a mega rally in honour of their son during which they openly declared their support for the PDP flag bearer.
Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry and an administrator, hails from Agburuike Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State, in reciprocation, assured that he would avail Abia youths 40 per cent of the positions in his administration, if he eventually makes it to Government House next year.
The rally held at Umuomaiukwu Primary School Field, Nsulu Isialangwa North LGA, is coming days after the generality of the people of the local government had equally thrown their weight behind Ikonne during their visit to the Governorship candidate’s country home. Many youths trooped out to the arena to demonstrate their unflinching support for their illustrious son who is eying Abia’s coveted top job.
The Isiala Ngwa North Youth Congress declared that they have adopted Prof. Ikonne as their consensus governorship candidate for the 2023 general election and assured him that they would deliver him, alongside other PDP candidates in the State.
Leader of the group Engr. Chuks Njoku, assured Prof. Ikonne and others PDP candidates that the youths would ensure that no other party except the PDP would secure victory during the 2023 general elections in the local government.
Responding, Prof. Ikonne thanked the youths for their thoughtfulness in organizing such a mega rally, saying that it was a demonstration of their organizational ability.
The former Vice Chacellor of Abia State University, Uturu promised to prioritize the needs of the youths, adding that he would ensure that no youth would be left out in the coming administration in fulfillment of his proposed participatory governance structure, if he emerges.
According to Ikonne, the quality of candidates PDP was fielding for the 2023 general election would bring about massive development of the state.
Also speaking, the PDP Candidate for Abia Central Senatorial zone, Col. Austin Akobundu, and the PDP House of Representatives Candidate for Isialangwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency, Prof. ACB Agbazuere, told the rally that Prof. Ikonne was a man who has worked with youths all his life and has what it takes to develop Abia youths.
They were of the opinion that the youths would do themselves a wordl of good by working assiduously to ensure that Ikonne becomes the Governor in 2023, as well as deliver all the candidates of the PDP in the State emerged victorious at the polls.
Contributing, the PDP candidate for Isialangwa North State Constituency, Mr Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu and his Isialangwa South counterpart, Chief Rowland Ceasar, commended the youths for standing by PDP and promised that when elected, they would work with the incoming administration of Ikonne to ensure that Abia youths get quality and sustainable empowerment.
In their respective speeches, some stakeholders, including Hon. Uzo Azubike and Elder Sam Esindu thanked the youths for their support for the PDP standard bearer while advising them to ensure victory for all PDP candidates in the state.
Some dignitaries, including Commissioner for Youths Development, Barr. Charles Eseonu, Sir Mac Atasie, Mr Bright Ikokwu, (Osama), Director General of Uche NdiAbia Campaign organization, Barr. Chinedum Elechi and other members accompanied Prof. Ikonne to the event.
