Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The immediate past Chief of staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, chief Okey Ahaiwe, has been elected as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State.
He polled a total number of 469 to defeat his closet rivals the deputy governor of the state chief Ude Oko-chukwu and Mr Lucky Igbokwe who scored 12 votes each.
Others who participated in process were a former chairman of the party Senator Emma Nwaka, who scored no vote, a former House of Assembly members Sampson Orji, who polled 11 votes.
A total number of 516 votes were casted during the special congress, 12 votes were invalid.
Some of the aspirants including
a former Commissioner for Works Barr Bob Ogu, business man chief Eric Opia and the only female candidate in the contest mrs Jonah had earlier stepped down from Ahaiwe who hails the same Local Government Area with late Prof Uche Ikonne.
The chairman of the Abia PDP special convention and governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki, declared Ahaiwe, the winner the special Congres
He assured the candidate that the party will support him to win the governorship election in the state.
Earlier in his speech state PDP chairman Alwell Asiforo Okere, said the a special convention became necessary following the death of the deceased Governorship candidate of the party Prof Uche Ikonne.
We lost our governorship candidate Ikonne ten days ago, It is for that reason that we are here today because the electoral act particularly session 33 has compelled us to elected another candidate within 14 days.
“We are very confident that the team led by Obaseki, will do a good job because the party know the kind of man he is before sending him.
“We know all the candidates. We urge the winner to be magnanimous and embrace others.
“We must everything to rescue Nigeria from corruption and poverty and we must start from Abia State”.
In his acceptance speech Ahaiwe, thanked the party and delegates for accounting him fly the party colour.
He said he would bring his experience from the private sector and the government sector to move the state forward.
The special convention was monitored by a team from the Independent National Electoral commission led by Mr Festus Okoye.