Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Chief of Staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Chief Okey Ahiwe, is set to emerge as governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Indication pointing towards that direction is hinged on the resolve of the State Working Committee of the PDP to retain the zoning of the governorship seat in Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Area where he hails from.
Already, PDP Stakeholders in Isiala-Ngwa North have unanimously adopted him as their sole aspirant for the party’s governorship re-run primary scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the Umuahia township stadium.
Ahiwe was adopted at a meeting chaired by the LGA chairman, Elder Sam Esindu held at the PDP Local Government secretariat, Okpuala during which the strongman of Isiala-Ngwa North politics and former Speaker of Abia state House of Assembly, Hon. Christopher Enweremadu, who is the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, moved the motion for Ahiwe’s adoption as the sole aspirant and was seconded by Chief Iyke Anugwa and unanimously adopted by all the members of the party present at the meeting.
Speaking before moving the motion, Enweremadu described Ahiwe as a suitable replacement for the late Professor Uche Ikonne, who was the party’s flag bearer before his death.
Enweremadu said that Ahiwe has successfully discharged all tasks assigned to him in the past and urged all and sundry to support him in order to ensure that the PDP record a resounding victory at the General Elections.
He commended Governor Ikpeazu and members of the party caucus in the state for once again micro zoning the Abia governorship ticket to Isiala Ngwa North, adding that the party has by that singular gesture, exhibited wisdom, maturity and love for the people of Isiala Ngwa North.
Enwenmadu pledged the readiness of members of the party in Isiala Ngwa North to deliver all PDP candidates in this year’s General Elections
Also speaking, a former member who represented Aba North/South in the House of Representatives, Hon Uzo Azubuike, a former chieftain of the APC, Chief Onyekachi Onyenkwere, Dr. Sam Ahiwe, among others described Ahiwe as a round peg in a round hole, whose personality has endeared him to the hearts of everyone and urged everyone to queue behind him for Saturday’s primary election.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the PDP Chairman for Isiala Ngwa North, Elder Esindu, said the aim of the meeting was for members to be acquainted with the recent twist of events in the polity and therefore stressed the need for unity ahead of the re-run scheduled for this Saturday.
The meeting observed a minute silence in honor of late Prof Ikonne.
Present at the meeting were the PDP candidate for Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, Chief Collins Iheonunekwu, Chief Friday Onukwue, Elder G. O. C Nnaji, Hon Armstrong Okoronkwo, Mrs. Tina Atasie, the LGA woman leader, Mrs. Justina Ikonne, members of the state party Executive including Hon Godfrey Ogbonnna and Sir Peter Nwokonko, Chief Uzoma Ihuka, Chief Gauis Anyanwụ, the General Manager of Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Hon Tony Otuonye, among others.
Speaking, Ahiwe expressed gratitude to the PDP members for the confidence they reposed in him and their show of support and solidarity thus, promised to live up to expectations if elected as the party’s flag bearer.
