Crisis has erupted in the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Party moves to replace the late governorship candidate of the party Prof. Uche Ikonne.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE learnt that subterranean moves were being plotted to introduce new candidates into the fresh race as it is reported that the power struggle was between the camp of the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ikpeazu.
A chieftain of the party in the state, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, better known as Don Lulu, has risen to stop the enlisting of new contestants in the race to replace the late Ikonne.
Mr Lulu who was the first runners up in the primary on Tuesday said the new Electoral Act 2022 allows for a fresh primary in the event that a candidate is incapacitated, late or has resigned.
He wondered why those who were not part of the primary election held in 2022 would join the February 4 contest to replace Ikonne.
He said the new entrants have not campaigned around the 17 local government areas to consult people, people were not invited, especially the party people.
“Moving around the 17 local government areas enables you to know the people’s needs, what they want, it’s like interacting with the grass root,” he said.
Don Lulu who was the youth ambassador of Prof. Ikonne Campaign Council questioned the reason for introducing new contestants into the race.
He thanked the national leadership of the PDP for opening the contest for those who took part in the previous primary that produced Ikonne as the winner.
The Abia State leadership of the PDP had micro-zoned its governorship ticket to Isiala Ngwa North, the local government area of the late holder, Ikonne.
There are indications that the chief of staff to the state governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe may be the favoured aspirant.
