Abia Commissioner, Nwamuo, Congratulates Abia PDP Guber Candidate, Ahiwe, Says He’s A Core Democrat

The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barr. Tony Nwamuo has congratulated the newly elected Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Guber candidate, Sir Okechukwu Ambrose Ahiwe, insisting that it is well-deserved.

Fielding questions from newsmen, Nwamuo maintained that Sir Ahiwe is a core democrat with capacity and credibility to lead the party to victory in the 2023 general elections.

The Legal Practitioner further assured that people of Ukwa-East Local Government Area (LGA) and the entire Abia state would vote massively for PDP at all levels in the coming general polls.

The immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Chief Okey Ahiwe had won PDP governorship primary election in the State.

The election became necessary following the demise of Prof. Uche Eleazar Ikonne who was to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 general election.

The Chairman of the PDP Primary Election Committee, Governor Godwin Obaseki had announced the results at Umuahia township stadium, Abia state as follows:

Total vote cast 516 while the total valid votes were 504.
Chief Okey Ahiwe got 469 votes, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu 12 Votes, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) 12 Votes, Samson Orji 11 votes, while Sen. Emma Nwaka got no vote.

Earlier at the event, Barr Bob Ogu, Chief Eric Opah and Mrs Ezinwanyi Jonah stepped down for Okey Ahiwe.

In his acceptance speech, Abia PDP Guber candidate, Chief Okey Ahiwe thanked Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and other leaders of the party in Abia state for their unprecedented unity and oneness which ensured a hitch free process.

He also thanked the Electoral Committee led by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state as well as the team of observers from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media and Civil Society Organisations for their contributory roles that ensured a transparent exercise.

In his words: “You are all aware of the circumstances that necessitated today’s primaries. I will therefore like to pay special tribute to the memory of our dearly departed brother, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, whose demise meant that we are holding another primary to elect another candidate today. I pay homage to the memory of Prof. Ikonne. I commiserate with his family and loved ones and pray God to grant his soul sweet repose.

“My assurance to the Peoples Democratic Party family in Abia State is that we are winning this election. Abia is a PDP State and Abia will remain a PDP State. We are not novices to the system neither are we greenhorns. I have been a part of the inner caucus of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for the last 7 years so I understand the dynamics of Governance from the grassroots to the highest levels.

 

“I was an integral part of Late Prof. Uche Ikonne’s Campaign at the Strategic level and I fully understand the demands and dictates of running a comprehensive campaign. I will not drop the ball. I know that we have grounds to cover and I am ready to hit the ground running.

“The focus of our Campaign shall be to consolidate on the laudable work done by our Leader, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu while expanding the scope of service to the people”.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has described the very successful conduct of the fresh Gubernatorial Primary Election of the PDP in the State as a clear evidence of the strenght and resilience of the party, as well as the robustness of internal democratic mechanisms of the party, not just in the State but across the country.

The Governor stated this while reacting to the successful conclusion of the primary election which held at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Governor Ikpeazu stated that he had no doubts about the ability of the party to surmount the challenge posed by the sad demise of Professor Uche Ikonne and to rise from the ashes of the despair occasioned thereby to become even stronger.

The Governor is particularly delighted with the peaceful atmosphere that characterized the election as well as the maturity of the delegates and the aspirants.

Governor Ikpeazu is grateful to the National Leadership of the party for standing by the State Chapter as it navigated and continues to navigate through the complexities posed by the death of Professor Ikonne.

He extends his deep appreciation to the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Party for the Abia State Primary Election and Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki and members of his Committee for the deep sense of patriotism and commitment to the ideals of democracy which they exhibited today in the conduct of the primary election, assuring the party leadership that Abia will continue to remain a PDP state, as it has been since 1999.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu describes the emergence of Chief Okey Ahiwe as the Candidate of the party for the March 11th, 2023 Gubernatorial Election in the State as the reflection of the wishes of the greater number of party members across the State, and assured that his emergence will surely energize the party to victory in the coming elections.

The Governor ends by expressing his appreciation to the Asiforo Okere led leadership of the party in the State for their hardwork and commitment to ideals of internal democracy in the party.