Former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, Chief Okey Ahiwe yesterday emerged the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party for the March 11 Governorship election.
In a fresh poll conducted to replace late Professor Eleazar Uche Ikonne as the Governorship flagbearer, Ahiwe polled 469 votes out of the 516 votes cast to beat 3 other contestants.
The closest contenders, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe and Sir Ude Oko Chukwu scored 12 votes each while Dr. Sampson Orji got 11 votes. There were 12 void votes. Senator Emma Nwaka got no vote.
Three aspirants, Chief Eric Opah, Barrister Bob Chiedozie Ogu and Mrs Ezinwany Jonah had stepped down from the race and declared support for Chief Okey Ahiwe.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman Abia State 2023 Special Gubernatorial Primary Electoral Committee and Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki explained that the Electoral Act prescribes Special Congress within 14 days where there is an unfortunate case such as the demise of a candidate.
He added that the exercise is to help strengthen our democracy by electing a replacement and assured that the exercise will be carried out transparently in line with the Electoral Act and the constitution of the party.
In his acceptance speech, the winner, Chief Okey Ahiwe described his win as victory for Abia and charged all contestants to join hands with him to move the state to the next level.
He thanked the State PDP Caucus for it’s decision to zone the Gubernatorial Ticket to Isiala North LGA and assured that the decision has strengthened the party.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sent a high powered delegation led by its National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye to monitor the election.
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