With the death of the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) governorship aspirant, Prof. Uche Ikonne, on Wednesday morning in Abuja, just few weeks to the 2023 general election, the ruling party in the State will have to return to the delineation board to produce a new aspirant before the March 11, 2023 governorship pate in the State.
Accordingly, the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) is commanded by law to make some changes to accommodate the new development especially for another primary election to take place, according to the Electoral Act, 2022.
Our journalist findings show that Section 34( 1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 stipulates that if a nominated aspirant dies before an election begins, the election will be slated within 14 days, by the principal public electoral administrator of INEC.
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It further says that “ handed that in the case of presidential or gubernatorial or Federal Capital Territory Area Council election, the handling mate shall continue with the election and nominate a new handling mate.
Recall that the PDP governorship aspirant in Abia State,Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, broke down in the infinitesimal hours of Wednesday at the National Hospital in Abuja from cardiac arrest.
This was blazoned in a statement by his son, Dr Uche Ikonne Chikieze, on Wednesday autumn.
The statement reads, “ I lament to declare the death of my dear father, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, who failed at the National Hospital Abuja moment 25 January 2023 by 4 am after a brief illness.
“He was recovering after taking proper treatment in the United Kingdom but regressed a many days ago leading to multiple cardiac arrests for which he did n’t recover from. “ farther details and arrangements would be made given to the public after reflections and meetings are made within the family. ”
Late Ikonne was a Professor of Optometry. In December 2015, he came the 7th respectable Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu, having preliminarily served as the Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
