Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne
Ikonne formally declares for Abia governorship race
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, Thursday, formally declared to join race for the 2023 Abia State governorship contest.
Ikonne, an optometrist and immediate past Vice Chancellor of Abia State, Uturu (ABSU), who is running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he was not only qualified but far more better than other aspirants.
The Professor of Environmental Science who stormed the sate secretariat of the PDP on Finbarr’s Road, Umuahia, with a mammoth crowd of supporters where he formally declared his intention to contest for the Abia State governorship seat, told the State Working Committee, “please give me that ticket during the primaries because, with due respect to other aspirants, I have what it takes to govern our State and more than others can offer.”
He said he parades such qualities as experience, commitment, maturity, discipline and excellence, stating “I am bringing quality administration to Abians.”
The administrator who has ran two Abia apex tertiary institutions: ABSU and Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, said he has paid his dues in the development of Abia State; but now prepared to take Abia to a higher level.
Ikonne who commended the efforts of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in development of Abia State, expressed his determination to improve on what the Governor has done so far.
If given the mantle of Abia leadership in 2023, the Professor promised that he would be a Governor for “All Abians,” adding that he would transform the state, using his array of intellectual, national and international connections.
According to him, security, job creation, industrial revolution, among others, were top priority in his manifesto.
He expressed confidence that if given the PDP Governorship ticket, he would floor candidates from other political parties in the gubernatorial election.
Responding, Abia State Chairman of PDP, Hon Alwell Asiforo Okere, described Ikonne as “a good product,” adding that Abia PDP was parading an array of aspirants with impressive qualities.
Okere told Ikonne that PDP, as a foremost institution of democracy, would conduct a free and fair primary election, in line with the party’s constitution, stressing that power belongs to the people, referring to the delegates.
He assured that the party would provide a level playing ground for all aspirants where delegates would pick the best candidates for the governorship and other elective positions.
