From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A group, Abia Transformation Agenda Network (TAN), has accused the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), of playing hide and seek game over the health status of its Governorship candidate, Prof Uche Ikonne.
TAN described Prof Ikonne’s continued absence and lack of information about his health condition as tantamount to Abia PDP playing with the collective destiny of Abians.
Ikonne was last seen in public on November 22, 2022, during the flag-off of his campaign at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Thomas Okoro, the group stated it had followed with keen interest how the PDP has refused to disclose the whereabouts of Prof Ikonne, PDP.
“In Abia, there are varying speculations regarding where the 70 year old former Vice Chancellor is attending to his health since he allegedly collapsed at the Umuahia Township Stadium venue of the Abia PDP Campaign Flag off.
“We noticed that a faction of PDP who feel they would benefit if a swap happens, has been holding series of meetings on how to scale through the hurdle of replacement of candidate placed by the Electoral Act.
“Going by provisions of Section 31 of the Electoral Act that deals specifically with Withdrawal of a Candidate , “A candidate may withdraw his or her candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered personally by the candidate to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the Commission not later than 90 days to the election.
“It is obvious that given the limitation of time and by statutes, the PDP in Abia State has no Governorship Candidate”, the statement added.
