Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has finally foreclosed his defection, assuring that he would remain with his people and “build my cathedral in the PDP”.
He made the declaration in the presence of thousands of his kinsmen and the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) members led by the chairman, Senator Wali Jubril, during the inauguration of phase one of Umuobiakwa – Owo-Ahiafor ring road in Obingwa local government.
Speculations have been rife that Ikpeazu was among the governors bidding their time to cross over to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) following the gale of high profile defections that has hit PDP.
But the Abia governor, who acknowledged the speculations that had been swirling around his continued membership of PDP, stated that it was “the last word” from him about his speculated defection plan. He gave two reasons why he would not dump PDP, saying, “my people are in PDP” and “there is nothing I want in another party that is not in PDP”.
He said that abandoning the former ruling party in Nigeria on which platform he became governor of Abia would make him become a bishop without a cathedral because majority of his people are in PDP and he must stay with them.
“How can I be in another party while my people are in another party. I will remain and build my cathedral where my people are,” he said, adding that he would not allow his personal interest to becloud the collective interest of his people.
Governor Ikpeazu described the inauguration of the Umuobiakwa -Owo Ahiafor ring road as “historic because it is the first time in the history of mankind” that people from the area would have access to use asphalted road to connect Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state.
He said that the ring road, which first phase has been completed with good drainage system, was strategic as it extends to Onicha Ngwa General Hospital and also links Abia to neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.
Ikpeazu assured that while building roads he would also give priority to human capital development, especially of Abia youths, adding that if he built all the roads without building the youths he would have ended up without achieving anything.
The PDP BoT chairman, Senator Jubril in his remarks commended Governor Ikpeazu for his leadership style which has brought peace and development to Abia State.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is a silent achiever and a progressive governor,” he said, noting that Abia has a culture of producing “responsible leaders”.
Senator Jubril explained that he was in Abia along with his fellow BoT members in their mission to build unity, cooperation and partnership in PDP and strengthen the party to win all elections in 2023.
