Just days after the death of Prof Eleazar Uche Ikonne, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, members of the Party’s state caucus, after a meeting attended by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and former Governor, Senator Theodore Orji, have zoned the ticket to Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.

A statement, signed by Abraham Amah and made available to journalists, reads: “Following the death of the Abia PDP gubernatorial candidate, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, on January 25, 2022 and the subsequent directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh primary within 14 days to replace him, members of the Abia PDP State Caucus met today and zoned the vacant guber seat to Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, the home LGA of the late Prof. Uche Ikonne.”

The decision was taken after a meeting of the Abia PDP State Caucus whose membership is drawn from across the State including Abia North, Ikwuano/Umuahia, Ukwa East and Ukwa West Local Government areas.”

Reports identified some of the leaders at the meeting to include “Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore A. Orji, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji and the other two senatorial candidates of the PDP, namely Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Col. Austin Akobundu respectively.”

Also present at the meeting were the Statutory members of the Abia PDP State Caucus except one who sent in an apology for his absence.

The Party urges members to support the decision of the Party caucus and work towards a successful primary election coming up on February 4, 2023.

The Party also calls on members to remain vigilant and expect more information and briefings from the Publicity Department of the Abia PDP in due course.