Abia State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the party’s vacant gubernatorial ticket to the Isiala Ngwa North LGA.

This was announced in a statement released on Sunday by Abraham Amah, State Vice Chairman of the PDP.

Amah, the party’s de facto state spokesperson, said the decision was made after the passing of previous candidate Uchenna Ikonne.

To replace Ikonne, he said, the PDP must organise a new primary within 14 days of his passing, as the Independent National Electoral Commission instructed.

According to a statement released on behalf of the family, Ikonne, a professor and former vice chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, at approximately 4 a.m. at the National Hospital Abuja. The statement was released by Ikonne’s first son, Uche-Ikonne Chikezie.

The PDP has zoned the governorship ticket to communities in Isiala Ngwa North Council Area, where the deceased candidate was from.

Amah explained that the decision was made at a meeting of the Abia PDP State Caucus, which has members from all over the state, including Abia North, Ikwuano/Umuahia, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West.

The PDP vice chair said Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was present at the meeting.

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According to the statement, several prominent party members were there, including Ude Chukwu, the deputy governor of the state; Theodore Orji, the speaker of the state assembly; Chinedum Orji; and former governor of Abia State, Uche Secondus.

Other participants include Mao Ohuabunwa, the PDP candidate for senator in Abia North, and Austin Akobundu, the PDP candidate for senator in Abia Central. Sam Ohuabunwa, a former PDP presidential candidate, and Acho Nwakanma, a former deputy governor of the state, were also present.

Amah said the PDP has asked its members to back the decision of the party caucus and prepare for a smooth primary on February 4.

He also urged PDP supporters to keep an eye out for further updates from the party’s Publicity Department.

After much back-and-forth on which district should produce the governor in the state in 2023, the PDP eventually decided to zone the ticket to Abia North and Abia Central Districts, from which Ikonne emerged as the party’s candidate for governor.

Ikonne was born and raised in Isiala Ngwa North, part of the Abia Central District.

The PDP’s continued insistence that the district should elect a governor in 2023 is reflected in the party’s decision to rezone the ticket to the area.