Abia: PDP schedules the election to replace Ikonne on February 4

Following the passing of Prof. Uche Ikonne, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State declared on Friday that a new governorship primary election would be held.

Ikonne passed away on Wednesday after a lengthy illness.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, told the party to hold a vote to replace the person who died.

The order made use of the New Electoral Act’s provisions on the replacement of candidates in the event of a death.

A new primary will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, according to a statement released on Friday by Elder Abraham Amah, the vice chairman of the PDP in Abia.

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The election will start at 10 a.m. at the capital city of Umuahia’s Township Stadium.

“All interested candidates are urged to pick up nomination and expression of interest forms at the PDP headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Wuse Abuja.

The selling of both forms starts on January 27 and finishes on February 1 (both days inclusive). On Thursday, February 2, at precisely 11:00 a.m., aspirants would be screened at the PDP National Headquarters in Wadata Plaza I, Abuja, Amah said.

Candidates must appear before the Abia PDP’s State Working Committee, or SWC, on Friday, February 2, 2023 at the State Secretariat.

Additional instructions would be issued if needed, the statement said.

The late governorship candidate Uche Ikonne is ill, but “recovering gradually and progressively,” according to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s confirmation in mid-January.

Ikonne is progressively recovering, which is the progress I wish to convey. Future strength will allow him to join, according to PDP G5 member Ikpeazu.

The 7th Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, was Ikonne, a professor of optometry.