The Chief of Staff (CoS) to Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Mr. Okey Ahiwe, is reported to have emerged as the choice of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to replace the deceased candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne, barring any last minute change.

The leadership of the Abia State chapter of the PDP had in a statement signed by its vice chairman, Abia North, who is also the acting publicity secretary of the party, said stakeholders of the party unanimously micro-zoned the governorship ticket of the party to Isiala Ngwa North Local Government, the same council the late Prof. Ikonne hailed from.

Ahiwe and Bob Ogu, the commissioner for Works, were the two persons from Isiala Ngwa North that were being considered to replace Ikonne.

It was not clear what parameters were considered before the stakeholders finally agreed to adopt Ahiwe as their candidate.

Sources within the government circle told our correspondent that Ahiwe was the person the governor had wanted to be his successor before the emergence of the late governorship candidate, Ikonne.

The sources said the conditions for the acceptability of Ahiwe included competency.

Other qualities include being a Chief of Staff, having no baggage, clean public service records, being accessible, being a party man, being young and being humble.

The sources said: “These qualities stood him out from others.”

A source in PDP said: “Ahiwe is more than a name. He is a philosopher and a man whose time is now.

"He is popularly known as the one with the great ability to handle folks with varying interests.

“He is skilled in engaging people for the good of the masses.

“He is a man whom you can dare to trust, as he will give you reasons to trust him more than you can ever think is possible.”

According to the sources, Ahiwe, who was on his way to Abuja at press time to purchase the governorship form, is likely going to emerge as a consensus candidate of the party in Saturday’s primary election of the PDP. (The Nation)