From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Okey Ahiwe, has emerged winner of the rerun governorship primary of Abia People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held at the Umuahia Township Stadium, yesterday.

The rerun primary was as a result of the death of Prof Uche Ikonne, the PDP flagbearer in the March 9 governoship election, on January 25.

Following Ikonne’s death, the PDP caucus in Abia met and micro zoned the position to Isiala Ngwa North, late Ikonne’s local government area.

In the primary,  Ahiwe emerged winner with 469 votes out of the 516 votes cast.

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Announcing the result, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who was the PDP returning officer disclosed that Ahiwe came first with 469 votes, while the deputy governor, Ude Oko Chukwu came a distant second with 12 votes.

According to Obaseki, the other contestants scored the following votes: Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (12);  Hon. Sampson Orji (11) while there were 12 invalid votes.

Three aspirants, Bob Ogu, Chief Eric Opah and Mrs Ezinwanyi Jonah had earlier stepped down for Ahiwe.

Obaseki had before the commencement of voting, noted that Abia has remained a PDP state, and urged the party members to help in strengthening democracy in the party by ensuring a smooth and transparent process of choosing the standard bearer of the party in the state.

Obaseki promised that the party would rally round whosoever the delegates chose as the party’s governorship candidate.