Ikonne’s death: Abia PDP to hold primary within 14 days

Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has 14 days to elect a new guber candidate following the death of Prof. Uche Ikonne.

The family Wednesday morning announced the death of the PDP guber candidate throwing the entire party into confusion.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was reported to have earlier begun search for a replacement as the fear grew that Ikonne’s health situation was dicey.

With the current situation Abia State Governor Ikpeazu and his party PDP have 14 days to hold a fresh Governoship primary.

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
Commission for the election concerned. “