The Isiala Ngwa North LGA has been designated as the zone for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDPopen )'s a gubernatorial ticket in Abia State.
The PDP's State Vice Chairman, Abraham Amah, made this announcement in a statement that was made public on Sunday.
The choice was chosen following the passing of former candidate Uchenna Ikonne, according to Amah, the party's de facto state spokeswoman.
He asserted that the PDP must hold a new primary within 14 days of Ikonne's demise to replace him, as the Independent National Electoral Commission required.
Ikonne, a professor and former vice chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu, died on Wednesday, January 25, at around 4 a.m. at the National Hospital Abuja, according to a statement issued on behalf of the family. Uche-Ikonne Chikezie, Ikonne's first son, issued the statement.
Communities in the Isiala Ngwa North Council Area, where the deceased candidate came from, have been designated for the governorship ticket by the PDP.
Amah said the choice was made during a meeting of the Abia PDP State Caucus, which includes representatives from all parts of the state, including Abia North, Ikwuano/Umuahia, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West.
Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State, was present at the meeting, according to the PDP vice chair.
Theodore Orji, the state assembly speaker, Chinedum Orji, and former governor of Abia State, Uche Secondus, among other notable party members, were reportedly present, as was Ude Chukwu, the state's deputy governor.
Austin Akobundu, a PDP candidate for senator in Abia Central, and Mao Ohuabunwa, a PDP candidate for senator in Abia North, are other participants. Acho Nwakanma, a former deputy governor of the state, and Sam Ohuabunwa, a former PDP presidential candidate, were also there.
In order to ensure a peaceful primary on February 4, according to Amah, the PDP has requested its members to support the decision made by the party caucus.
Additionally, he asked PDP supporters to watch for new developments from the party's publicity department.
The PDP debated for a long time about which district should produce the state's governor in 2023 before deciding to zone the ticket to the Abia North and Abia Central Districts, where Ikonne ultimately won the nomination for the position.
Ikonne was born and reared in the Abia Central District neighbourhood of Isiala Ngwa North.
The PDP's decision to rezone the ticket to the region reflects the party's insistence that the district elect a governor in 2023.