2023 Abia Governorship: Prof Ikonne Leads PDP Abia Aspirants

March 28, 2022

Sources within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has debunked rumours that Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the State University, has been annointed as the successor of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

As confirmed by multiple sources at the party secretariat in Umuahia on Monday, what is true is that stakeholders in his zone are making a case for Ikonne, an optmetrist, as its most suitable aspirant. The party has not reached any decision.

“Professor Ikonne was one of the aspirants that stakeholders in their zone is proposing. These processes are in line with the consultations that the party leadership has held, resulting in the zoning of the position to three local government areas of Abia Central, and Abia North. Ikonne is from Abia Central.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

“He is qualified. Party members in his zone say so. His emergence to the forefront of the race aligns with the processes of the consultations we have been holding. Other aspirants are likely to indicate their interests soon.

“Of course, one person or two cannot reach a decision of this magnitude. The various levels of the party will make the decision as was agreed during the consultations,” the party sources said.

“Still following the statement, State Chairman of PDP Dr. Alswell Asiforo made on Sunday night, Abia North is also expected to produce aspirants from its zone for the primaries.”

Professor Ikonne is from Agburuike-Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North, one of the three Ngwa local government areas in Abia Central, also known as Umunneato.

The other two local government areas are Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma.

Professor Ikonne attended Ngwa High School, Aba and studied Optometry at Manila Central University, Philippines. He has a specialist Master’s degree in Hospital Administration from St. Jude College in the Philippines.

Ikonne served as Consulting Optometrist at the Park Lane General Hospital, Enugu. He earned a PhD in Environmental Health Science from Abia State University, where he became the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor in December 2015. He had served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University from 2010-2014.

PBA Reporter
+ posts

Featured Stories

Latest from News

El Rufai

EFCC Detains El-Rufai Over Corruption Allegations

Former Kaduna State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, amid ongoing investigations into alleged financial mismanagement during his eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023. Highly placed
Why President Tinubu Rejected Me As Ministerial Nominee – El-Rufai

DSS Links El-Rufai to Disappearance of Critic ‘Dadiyata’

Department of State Services (DSS) has reopened its investigation into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, known as Dadiyata, a prominent government critic who vanished from his Kaduna home on 1 August 2019. According to a senior security source, the renewed probe

14 Kebbi Wedding Guests Die in Boat Accident

The Kebbi State government has expressed profound sorrow after a boat accident in Yauri Local Government Area claimed 14 lives, mostly women, following a wedding celebration. Governor Nasir Idris offered condolences to the bereaved families, the Yauri Emirate, and local residents, describing
Criminalising Refusal To Sing Anthem Not Our Priority – Lawyer

Lawmakers, Protesters Lock Horns as Electoral Reform Battle Intensifies

Tension gripped the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers clashed over the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, amid mounting protests and growing public scrutiny over provisions relating to electronic transmission of election results, Prime Business Africa reports. A crucial
Previous Story

U.S. Consulate Set To Begin 2022 Academy For Women Entrepreneurs

DisPlace: Carleton University Hosts Own Professor, Poet To Book Launch 
Next Story

DisPlace: Carleton University Hosts Own Professor, Poet To Book Launch 

Don't Miss

Managers May Need ‘Strong Rope’ To Stop Goal Celebrations – Arteta 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faced the media Friday afternoon ahead
Nigeria Needs 17% Annual GDP Growth Rate To Achieve $1trn Economy  2030 - Expert

Economic Development And Policy Impacts

Six major factors enable economic growth and development and prosperity