Okey Ahiwe emerges Abia PDP Governorship candidate

Chief Okey Ahiwe, former Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has been elected as the new PDP governorship candidate in the state.

He won the special 2023 PDP primary election held in Umuahia, the state capital, on Saturday with 469 votes out of 516 cast.

Ahiwe beat incumbent deputy governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, and Dr Sampson Orji, who received 12, 12, and 11 votes, respectively.

The fifth candidate, former state chairman and senator Emma Nwaka, received no votes. Chief Bob Ogu, Hon. Eric Opia, and Mrs Ezinwayi Jonas stepped down in favor of Ahiwe.

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In his acceptance speech, Ahiwe thanked the party leadership and appealed to other candidates to join him to ensure victory for the party.

Edo State governor and chairman of the Special Primary Election Committee, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, assured that the party will abide by the election outcome.

The special primary was in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 following the death of former candidate and university vice chancellor Prof. Uche Ikonne.