ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has met with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and fixed a date for a new primary election following the demise of the party’s governorship candidate, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne.
The party has fixed 4 February for a fresh exercise to elect a new governorship candidate.
Screening of aspirants will be held on Thursday at the national headquarters in Abuja.
The Governor also assured members and supporters of the ruling party in the state and across the country that the party remains strong, viable and united.
According to a statement by Chief Press Secretary Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Governor gave the assurance at a meeting with PDP national leaders at Government House, Umuahia.
The delegation visited Abia to commiserate with the government and people over the death of Ikonne, who until his death, was the party’s gubernatorial candidate.
The National Working Committee (NWC) members included Deputy National Chairman, Umar Damagum, National Secretary, Sen. Sam Anyanwu and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.
Governor Ikpeazu thanked party leadership for their show of support and solidarity; he assured them that “Abia PDP shall rise from the ashes of the current despair to record a massive victory.”
He informed the delegation that the state caucus met and agreed to retain the ticket in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area where Ikonne hailed from.
In his remarks, Damagum described the deceased as an accomplished intellectual and experienced administrator whose emergence as governor would have impacted the state positively.
The official also relayed that the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar were “deeply pained by the death of Ikonne who shared several developmental ideas with them.”
Damagum urged the party members and followers to ensure success at the forthcoming polls, Damagum reminded them that only one person could emerge at this weekend’s primary.