Abia PDP has announced February 4th 2023 to conduct fresh primaries following the death of her gubernatorial candidate Prof. Eleazer Uche Ikonne which occurred on January 25th, 2023.
Recall that INEC has directed the party to conduct fresh primaries within 14 days to replace Late. Prof. Eleazer Uche Ikonne.
He further explained that; “if the candidate dies when polls have commenced, section 34(3)(b) of the Act provides that the running mate shall continue with the election and nominate a new running mate.”
The commission further warned that should the PDP fail to conduct fresh primaries within 14 days of the death of the candidate, it is assumed that they will not have a candidate in the election.
“Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022 is clear, unambiguous, and unequivocal that a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted to the commission under section 29 of the Electoral Act except in the case of death of withdrawal,” Okoye explained.
The statement reads;
*PRESS RELEASE*
*CONDUCT OF A FRESH PRIMARY ELECTION TO REPLACE LATE PROF. UCHE IKONNE*
Following the death of Prof. Uche Ikonne, the Abia PDP gubernatorial candidate on Wednesday January 25, 2023 and the subsequent directive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which relied upon the provisions of the New Electoral Act on the replacement of candidates arising from death, the Abia PDP wishes to inform its members that a date for the primary election to nominate a new candidate to replace late Prof. Uche Ikonne has been scheduled as follows:
Date: Saturday February 4, 2023
Time: 10:00 am prompt
Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia
Consequent upon the above, all interested aspirants are requested to collect Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms from the PDP Headquarters at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Abuja.
The sale of both forms begins today Friday January 27 and ends on Wednesday February 1, 2023.
The screening of aspirants will hold at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza Abuja, on Thursday February 2, 2023 at 11:00 am prompt.
All the aspirants are expected to present themselves to the State Working Committee, SWC, of the Abia PDP on Friday February 2, 2023 at the State Secretariat, Finbars Street, Umuahia by 12: 00 pm.
Further directives from the State Party Secretariat, Finbars Street, Umuahia would be communicated when necessary.
PDP- Power to the People!
Signed
Hon. Elder Abraham Amah
Abia PDP Vice Chairman?Acting State Publicity Secretary
