Prof. Uche Ikonne’s running mate for the PDP’s governorship in Abia State, Phillip Okey-Igwe, has resisted attempts by the party to replace him, arguing that he is still the party’s legitimate deputy governorship candidate.
This was in response to rumors that Jasper Uche had been selected as Chief Okay Ahiwe’s running mate for the PDP’s state governor nomination.
In a statement on Tuesday, Okey-Igwe claimed that his candidacy was still valid in accordance with the Electoral Act and the constitution.
He urged his supporters to uphold the law, remain composed, and continue on the path leading to his victory, adding that any attempt at a substitution would undoubtedly fail.
The statement partly read, “I wish to use this medium to thank all my supporters, fans and all Abians of good will for your phone calls and show of concern in the face of attempted substitution of my candidature as the duly nominated and subsisting deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, Abia State, for the 2023 elections.
“I have committed my soul, resources and energy to the course of victory for our party since my nomination alongside my late boss. My boss died, and I have accepted his death, albeit painfully, as the will of divinity. Yet, my candidature subsists in accord with the constitution and our Electoral Act.
“Indeed, certain entrenched interests that were opposed to what Prof and myself represented towards charting the course of a new, sustainable Abia, have arisen against me.”
He said he would advise them to see reason, exercise due caution and understand that their attempt to “unlawfully” subvert his candidature shall fail and worse still render the PDP governorship candidature inchoate, saying “that will amount to pulling the rug from under the feet of our great party.”
He urged his supporters to remain law-abiding and stay the course towards victory.