There are strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Ebonyi south zone of the state, have kick-started processes of retaining incumbents in all the seats ahead of the 2019 polls.

This was the outcome of the Ebonyi South PDP stakeholders meeting that took place at the residence of the former deputy governor of the state, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, at the weekend as they resolved to retain all the various local government areas of the incumbents.

By the arrangement, a source disclosed that the state governor, Engr. David Umahi and the member representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal constituency, Hon. Linus Okorie would be returned respectively, while efforts were intensified to search for the replacement of the Ebonyi South Senator, Sonni Ogbuorji, who had defected to the All Progressives Congress.

It was gathered that the governorship position was retained in Ohaozara while the Ebonyi South senatorial seat and the position of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal constituency were also retained in Afikpo South (Edda) and Onicha council areas respectively.

The meeting which took place across the three senatorial zones of the state was said to have been initiated by the state governor, Engr. David Umahi was a way of ensuring peace and unity in the party ahead of the elections.

It was also gathered that all the resolutions of each of the zones would be communicated to the state governor for final adoption.

He said: “The governorship ticket remains with Ohaozara LGA. The Senatorial Ticket goes to Afikpo bloc (Eda to be precise). Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency ticket remains with Onicha LGA.”

Explaining further, the source added that Ivo local government would take its slot for OHANIVO Federal constituency in 2023, as “Ivo LGA has taken three unbroken tenures at National Assembly positions; Ohaozara LGA has taken two tenures at National Assembly positions and Onicha LGA has taken two unbroken tenures at National Assembly positions.”

Though the governor had maintained that most of the national and state assembly members would be returned, Umahi also added a proviso that there would be popularity rally tests for all contestants.

The stakeholders of Ebonyi Central and North zones were yet to agree on the zoning formula, as contestants were said to have opposed any unified zoning arrangements.