February 22, (THEWILL) – Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has dissociated himself from recent claims by former Governor of the State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, that he and other members of the G5 are supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kalu had in a recent interview with Channels Television on Monday, said, “Tinubu is well-liked by the North and is from the South-West and is going to get a [sizeable] vote in Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra and Enugu. And he’s going to have the support of Governor Wike of Rivers State, so we’re on track.
“My Governor here, Okezie Ikepazu, will also support Tinubu. My senatorial district is going to give Tinubu the vote, the puncher to give the 34, 35 per cent to be on the ballot.”
Speaking on Tuesday, after inspecting the ongoing final asphalt overlay on Faulks Road, in Aba, Ikpeazu said “no member of G5 can railroad another member into supporting anyone against his will as suggested by Senator Kalu,” he said.
Ikpeazu, who dismissed Senator Kalu’s statement, described it as mere wishful thinking and the usual political speculation associated with the season.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ikpeazu has not endorsed Tinubu and will not endorse him because he is a leader that is guided by the feelings of his people.
“PDP remains formidable and all our candidates in the forthcoming elections hold very strong prospects of winning in Abia,” the Abia PDP Campaign Council also declared in a statement.
The statement issued by Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the Director of Strategic Engagement, said “Governor Ikpeazu is a democrat and even as he frowns at some decisions of his party, the PDP, he remains a committed member of the PDP family.
“Ikpeazu is in touch with Abians and will not derail from the decision of a majority of his people, which does not presently incline towards APC or its presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu.
“It is noteworthy that in the field, APC structures in Abia South Senatorial District have completely collapsed into the PDP as was seen during the PDP rally held at Ahiaba in Obingwa LGA. So it is laughable for anyone to imagine the Governor working for the same party that has collapsed as a result of the good work the Governor has been doing in the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ikpeazu has not endorsed Tinubu and will not endorse him because he is a leader that is guided by the feelings of his people. PDP remains formidable and all our candidates in the forthcoming elections hold very strong prospects of winning in Abia.
“We acknowledge the frustration of opposition parties in the state and sympathize with them on their imminent rejection by the people, who see the PDP as a steady hand guaranteeing continuing peace and progress of the state.
“Abians cannot abandon the PDP, which gave them over 200 roads including 4 bridges, 700 new classroom blocks, sent some of her youths abroad on scholarships and trained shoemakers overseas. It is unthinkable for our people to abandon such a party, which built 2 brand new giant firms that have been gainfully employing our people and engaging them in other numerous positive ways.
“The PDP government of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has employed over 10,000 youths through direct jobs in TIMAAS, APUMA, ENASCO, Abia school feeding programmes, ASEPA etc. It has facilitated regular power supply in parts of Aba through delineated support to Geometric Power Company and has bequeathed the first free trade zone in the Southeast through Enyimba Economic City.
“It is because we are proud of our record as a party and government that our candidates are campaigning on those records, whereas our opponents are engaging in propaganda and outright falsehood to attempt to hoodwink voters.
“As of today, Abia remains the safest state in the Southeast. To the glory of God, the state has not witnessed any successful bank robbery since Governor Ikpeazu emerged in 2015. Our people will only go to a place with better prospects or they remain with the party they already know. They are not willing to repeat the same mistake Nigerians made at the National level in 2015.
“As good Christians, we are aware of what the scriptures say in Proverbs 24 v 21: ‘My son, fear the Lord and also the king. Be wary of those who go for change, for their calamity is near!”
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