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 the 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 cast during the special congress, 12 votes were invalid.
Some of the aspirants, including a former commissioner for Works, Bob Ogu, and businessman, Eric Opia, had earlier stepped down from Ahaiwe, who hails from Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area with late Prof Uche Ikonne. Related News
The Chairman of the Abia PDP primary and Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, declared the winner the special congress, declared the winner.
He assured the candidate that the party would support him to win the governorship election in the state.
Earlier in his speech, the state chairman, Alwell Okere, said a special convention became necessary following the death of the governorship candidate of the party, Prof. Uche Ikonne.
In his acceptance speech Ahaiwe, said he would bring his experience from the private sector and the government sector to move the state forward.
Credit: Punch