By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
As the race to the Abia State government house gathers momentum, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in the state have denied endorsing Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, as its preferred candidate.
Multiple sources in the state confirmed to The AUTHORITY on Monday that the immediate past Vice-chancellor of the Abia State University, was one of the aspirants being penciled down as possible successor of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu but quickly pointed out that the decision is yet to be ratified.
The source said that the stakeholders in his zone are making a case for Ikonne, an optometrist, as its most suitable aspirant.
“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.
“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” the sources confirmed.
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.
