Abia PDP elects Okey Ahiwe as new Gubernatorial candidate to replace late Prof.Ikonne

Steve Unegbu, Umuahia

The Abia state PDP has conducted a fresh Gubernatorial Primary election and the former chief of staff to the Governor Chief Okey Ahaiwe emerged the winner with 469 votes to beat other aspirants

Announcing the results shortly after the election,the chairman of the PDP special electoral committee for fresh Gubernatorial Primary Election in Abia state and Governor of Edo state,His Excellency Mr Godwin Obaseki said chief Okey Ahiwe polled a total of 469 votes to emerge the winner.

While the total votes casted was 516 votes ,the invalid votes was 12 , Sir Ude Oko Chukwu got 12 votes ,Chief Mayor Igbokwe scored 12 votes , Dr Sampson Orji got 11 votes and Senator Emma Nwaka.

Earlier three Aspirants from Isialangwa North LGA Barrister Bob Ogu ,Chief Eric Opia and Mrs Ezinwanyi Jonah stepped down for chief Okey Ahiwe, said for the sake of togetherness as people from the same LGA added that chief Ahiwe is qualified to lead Abia state when he emerges.

Meanwhile, interacting with Newsmen shortly after the election,the Abia PDP Vice chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary,Hon.Elder Abraham Amah, described the emergence of chief Okechukwu Ahiwe as the Abia PDP guber candidate without rancour and bitterness in the PDP family as widely expected by the opposition and critics of the PDP is testimony that the PDP is stronger ,more united and more formidable than ever.

According to him,
“We congratulate the other contestants for their show of maturity and sportsmanship in accepting the results of the primary election in good faith. We salute their magnanimity in accepting defeat and ask them to join hands with the winner to ensure that the Party secures victory in the March 11, 2023 governorship election.

“We also call on the winner, Chief Okey Ahiwe to be magnanimous in victory and extend a worthy hand of fellowship to the other contestants and ensure that everybody is carried along and given a due sense of belonging.

“The Party is thankful to the leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for mobilising and uniting all interests for the successful and hitch-free  conduct of the primary election. We are also thankful to members of Special Electoral Commitee headed by the Edo Sate governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the State Chairman of the Party, Rt. Hon. Dr. Alwell Asiforo Okere, Abia PDP Council of Elders, Abia PDP State Caucus, the State Working Committee, SWC, the enlarged State Executive Committee, SEC, and all members of the Abia PDP who in one way or the other contributed immensely to the peaceful conduct of the primary election.

“As we embark on the last lap of our campaigns in the coming days, especially to sell our new guber candidate to Abians, the Party calls on its members to take the challenge seriously and ensure that the personality of the candidate and the immutable strength of the Party he represents are spread in all nooks and crannies of Abia State.

“We call on the good people of Abia State, including members of the opposition to join hands with us to build the Abia of our collective dream by voting for the PDP, the Party that is tested and trusted”