Chief Henry Ikoh 


The governorship ambition of Chief Henry Ikoh, former Minister of State for Science and Technology has sent tongues wagging in the Abia State chapter of the APC even as it further unsettle the various factions of the party in the State.


Ikoh, a political heavyweight in Abia Central Senatorial district and current Chairman, Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Nekede has been playing host to sponsored groups goading him to throw his hat in the ring for the governorship contest in 2027.


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that Ikoh belongs to one of the three factions of APC in Abia. Even though Dr Kingsley Ononogbu is the Abia  State Chairman of APC, there are subtle tussle for supremacy among three leaders of the party all claiming to draw their authority from Abuja. The evidence of this behind the doors power struggle came to the fore in the appointment of the Board and Executive Management of the South-East Development Commission, SEDC when within 24 hours some appointments were made and later reversed in favour of others.


Sources within the party told our reporter that the entry of Ikoh into the 2027 governorship race makes the efforts for reconciliation much more complex..


"Yes, we have it on good authority that Chief Henry  Ikoh wants to test his muscles for the  2027 governorship election, this presents complexities  in efforts to reconcile the different interests within the party. What we don't know for sure is whether Ikoh's ambition is self sponsored or he represents certain interests"


The source however dismissed reports about certain political associations rooting for Ikoh's to run for the governorship.


"You the so-called groups urging Ikoh to run for the governorship? Haa! You mean politicians are still using that format? That format don cast now!  You and me know these groups are paid" 


Recently, two political associations, Old Bende Vanguard For Good Governance and Abia-17  have paid courtesy visits to the former minister urging to run for the governorship


His developmental and philanthropic gestures towards his community and Abia State, in general, propelled them to root for him.


According to the group, Ikoh has a strong political background, having served as a Commissioner for Industry in Abia State, as Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and currently serving as the Chairman of the governing council of Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, therefore his experience and leadership skills make him an attractive candidate for the governorship position.

Efforts to get Chief Ikoh for his reaction failed as his lines could not be reached