Governor Okezie Ikpeazu may be weighing options on his choice of Prof Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne as his preferred candidate for the governorship ticket of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, THE WHISPERER has learnt.
The Governor, who is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for a function, has come under intense pressure from prominent members of the People’s Democratic Party in Abia State including his associates over Ikonne’s choice.
The governorship primary of the PDP is expected to hold in the second quarter of the year.
Those mounting pressure on the Governor are some of his inner caucus strategists and leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, from Abia North.
They are canvassing against the choice of the Ex-Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Professor Eleazar Ikonne.
A source said some confidants of the Governor are at war with other PDP leaders, who have called for an open contest for the governorship ticket.
“The Governor does not want an open contest because of Ikuku, Oko-Chukwu and Abaribe. It might be hijacked by them considering their financial strength.
“After his consultations,
the governor might drop Ikonne to avoid an embarrassing defeat of the PDP at the poll.
“The strategists also asked the Governor to consider supporting a younger candidate like Okey Ahiwe,” the source told THE WHISPERER.
It was learnt that those backing Ikonne included a former Attorney General of Abia State, Chief Theo Nkire; the Deputy Chief of Staff Office of the Deputy Governor, Chief Don Ubani; a former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Acho Nwakanma; Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe among others.
A top source, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday, said: “Nkire, Ubani, Ndukwe are supporting Ikonne just to disgrace the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji.”
According to the source, the Governor was advised to leave the contest open instead of adopting a candidate.
“He was advised to leave the contest open, but he is wary of people like Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu.”
“Ikonne might be dropped for Ahiwe because the Govenor is under serious pressure. What I can tell you for sure is that the Governor is not ready to hand over to someone from Abia North. If you have noticed, he is doing everything to shut Ohafia local government area up. Recently, he appointed their sons into juicy positions to get their support.
“Ikpeazu must be wary of dire consequences of the purported endorsement of Ikonne because he is seen as an Ngwa irredentist and too old to govern Abia State.
“It may lead to an implosion that may affect the chances of the party,” the source said.
