In an acceptance speech, Ikonne expressed gratitude to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and PDP for believing in him.
By Eugene Onyeji
The 2019 gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Isah Ashiru has, emerged winner of the governorship primary election in Kaduna State.
Isah Ashiru emerged winner with 414 votes to defeat Sani Sidi with 260 , Ramalan Yero, 28, Sani Abbas, 15, Haruna Saeed, 11 and Shehu Sani, 2 votes. There were 30 invalid votes.
One of the governorship aspirants, Senator Datti Baba- Ahmed, had pulled out of the race less than 24 hours to the primary election.
In a short letter addressed to the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Hassan Hyet, Baba-Ahmed alleged that happenings in the party are “inconsistent with his purpose in politics”.
He further stated that the first-hand reports available to him indicated that the PDP was yet to learn lessons.
He said, “I, however, remain loyal and supportive of the party. I pray for the day we would get our politics right for the sake of Nigeria.”
Also, former Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu, Prof. Uche Ikonne, has emerged the governorship candidate of the PDP for Abia state 2023 governorship election.
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.
Mr Lucky Igbokwe came a distant second with 45 votes, while the only female contestant, Mrs Ngozi Merenge, scored five votes.
Other contestants, including Dep. Gov. Ude Oko-Chukwu, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sen. Emma Nwaka, had earlier announced their withdrawal from the race.
They were however credited with six, five and four votes, respectively.
Also, Prof. Greg Ibe, who formally defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on April 17, was also credited with two votes.
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Other aspirants that withdrew from the race were Chief Ncheta Omerekpe, Mr Enyinnaya Nwafor and Mr Chima Anyaso.
However, they were credited with three, four and five votes, respectively.
The Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and former Gov. Ayo Fayose thanked the delegates for their peaceful conduct during the exercise.
In an acceptance speech, Ikonne expressed gratitude to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and PDP for believing in him.
He gave assurance that he would not betray such confidence.
In Plateau State, a former chairman of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang won the PDP governorship primary ticket of the State.
Caleb polled 252 votes to defeat 13 other aspirants.
Earlier, Dr Timothy Golu, Chief Latep Dabang, Pastor Vincent Nanle and Mr Jack Yakubu Pam withdrew from the contest out of the 18 aspirants.
The result was declared by the chairman of the panel, Bode Ogunmola.
