In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Thomas Okoro, the Abia Transformation Agenda Network (TAN) took the Abia PDP leadership to task, raising a number of questions about the health status of the governorship candidate.
Ikonne, a former vice-chancellor of Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), vanished from the political scene on November 24, 2022, after allegedly collapsing during the launch of his campaign at Umuahia Township Stadium.
In a statement made available to the media, TAN decried Ikonne's "continued absence and lack of information about his health condition" and compared it to "Abia PDP playing hide and seek with the collective fate of Abians."
The group observed that Ikonne's absence and lack of information about him were already causing tension within the ruling party, as vested interests positioned themselves to profit from the uncertain situation should the candidate need to be replaced.
TAN noted that it had been following the development with keen interest and that the PDP had "refused, neglected, or ignored" to disclose the location of its governorship candidate.
"In Abia, there are differing rumours as to where the 70-year-old former vice chancellor is receiving medical care following his collapse at the Umuahia Township Stadium venue of the Abia PDP Campaign Flag off.
"We've observed that a faction of the PDP who feels they would benefit from a swap has been holding a series of meetings on how to overcome the Electoral Act's obstacle of replacing a candidate," the group said.
TAN warned the Abia PDP to stop foot dragging on making full disclosure concerning Ikonne’s condition so that necessary action could be taken given that Section 31 of the Electoral Act provides for 90 days’ notice of withdrawal before the poll for a nominated candidate.
“It is obvious that given the limitation of time and by statutes, the PDP in Abia State has no governorship candidate. Those who are benefitting from this quagmire are busy receiving millions of naira daily for campaigning for a candidate who cannot be found anyway.
“We want to bring to the notice of Abians that members of the PDP who are the architects of this game plan want to go into the elections with an absentee Ikonne so that it will be very easy for them to have unfettered access to the State Treasury in the unlikely event that Ikonne wins.”
The ruling party has largely kept sealed lips on Ikonne’s disappearance with the media section of its campaign council dismissing any suggestion that the health of the governorship candidate was impaired.
In interpreting ruling party’s opacity on Ikonne’s whereabouts, TAN said, “it is that vacuum of not having a functional governor that is inspiring them to behave as if all (Abians) do not have sense.”
Few days ago, the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu eventually admitted during a radio programme that Ikonne, “is lately indisposed,” after months of speculations, adding that
He was gradually and steadily recuperating.
TAN Ikpeazu has not helped matters as, according to the organisation, "Ikpeazu was to subsequently add salt to injury by revealing that, 'Prof. Ikonne will return sooner or later,'" after first stating that the PDP gubernatorial candidate 'will return in the future.'
(Source: www.thisdaylive.com)
