Prof Ikonne leads Abia PDP aspirants on merit and is not anointed as Gov Ikpeazu’s successor, his supporters say,
Multiple sources say Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State has not anointed Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne as a possible successor of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Party officials contacted say the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University, is running on his own steam for now.
“What is true is that stakeholders in his zone are making a case for Ikonne, as their most suitable aspirant. The party has not reached any decision,” an official said..
The sources confirmed, “Professor Ikonne is one of the aspirants that stakeholders in their zone are proposing.
“These processes are in line with the consultations that the party leadership has held, resulting in the zoning of the position to three local government areas of Abia Central, and Abia North.
Ikonne is from Abia Central.
Another top party official sounded optimistic about the aspirant.
“He is qualified. Party members in his zone say so. His emergence to the forefront of the race aligns with the processes of the consultations we have been holding. Other aspirants are likely to indicate their interests soon.”
An influential member of the party added: “One person or two cannot reach a decision of this magnitude. The various levels of the party will make the decision as was agreed during the consultations”
Following the statement of party Chairman Dr. Alswell Asiforo on Sunday night, “Abia North is also to produce aspirants from its zone for the primaries.”
About Prof Ikonne
Professor Ikonne, an optometrist, is from Agburuike-Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North, one of the three Ngwa local government areas in Abia Central, also known as Umunneato.
The other two local government areas are Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma.
Ikonne attended Ngwa High School, Aba and studied Optometry at Manila Central University, Philippines.
He has a specialist Master’s degree in Hospital Administration from St. Jude College in the Philippines.
Ikonne served as Consulting Optometrist at the Park Lane General Hospital, Enugu.
He earned a PhD in Environmental Health Science from Abia State University, where he became the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor in December 2015. He had served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University from 2010-2014.
Ikonne leads Abia PDP aspirants on merit
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