Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, must ensure the emergence of a new gubernatorial candidate within 14 days, to replace the deceased party’s flagbearer, Prof. Uche Ikonne.
Ikonne’s family had Wednesday morning announced the death of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, throwing the entire party into confusion.
Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu was reported to have earlier begun clandestine search for Ikonne’s replacement, as the fear grew that his health situation was dicey.
With the current situation in Abia PDP, Governor Ikpeazu and his party have 14 days to hold a fresh Governoship primary in accordance with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.
Section 33 of the 2022 Electoral Act says, “A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate.
“Provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the political party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the election concerned.“