Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The running mate to the deceased Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Abia State Prof Uche Ikonne, Barr. Phillip Okey-Igwe, has challenged an attempt by the party to substitute him, saying he is still the substantive deputy governorship candidate of the party.
This was sequel to reports that Jasper Uche PhD, had been chosen as the running mate to the PDP governorship candidate in the State Chief Okay Ahiwe .
Okey-Igwe, in a statement on Tuesday stated that his candidature subsists in accord with the constitution and our Electoral Act.
He appealed to his supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and stay the course towards his victory, adding that the attempted perfidy shall surely 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 gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, Abia State for the 2023 General 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 passed, and I have accepted his passing, 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 are and were opposed to what Prof and myself represented towards charting the course of a new, sustainable Abia, have arisen against me.
“I will advise them to see reason, exercise due caution and understand that their attempt to unlawfully subvert my candidature shall fail and worse still render the entire PDP gubernatorial candidature inchoate – that will amount to pulling the rug from the under the feet of our great party.
“Finally, I want to charge all my supporters to remain law-abiding and stay the course towards victory. Attempted perfidy shall surely fail. God bless you all”.