Former Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu, Professor Uche Ikonne, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 general elections.

Mr Ikonne was elected at the party’s primary election held at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Wednesday.

He polled 468 votes to defeat five other contestants in the exercise that took place under heavy presence of security personnel.

Lucky Igbokwe came a distant second with 45 votes, while the only female contestant, Ngozi Merenge, scored five votes.

Other contestants, including Deputy Governor Ude Oko-Chukwu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Emma Nwaka, had earlier announced their withdrawal from the race.

They were however credited with six, five and four votes, respectively.

Also, Professor Greg Ibe, who formally defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance on April 17, was also credited with two.

and five votes, respectively.

The Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and former Governor Ayo Fayose thanked the delegates for their peaceful conduct during the exercise.

In an acceptance speech, Mr Ikonne expressed gratitude to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and PDP for believing in him.

He gave assurance that he would not betray such confidence.

He further assured them that he would deliver victory to the party in the general election.

He promised to tackle the huge infrastructure needs of the state, create jobs for the youths and ensure that women were gainfully engaged, when elected. 

(NAN)