Ikpeazu pledges to attract federal presence to Abia South as Aba people adopt him as consensus candidate
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Indigenes and non-indigenes of Aba South and North Local Government Areas have adopted Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as their consensus candidate for the 2023 Abia South Senatorial election.
Pharmacist Cherechi Nwogu from Aba South moved a motion for the adoption of Ikpeazu as the Consensus candidate of Aba people in the 2023 Abia South senatorial poll. Barrister Charles Esonu Onyedikachi, from Aba North, seconded the motion which was unanimously adopted by the gathering.
Speaking during the Civic reception held at the premises of Aba Town Hall which also witnessed the adoption of other PDP candidates, Ikpeazu appreciated the people for organizing such event in his honour and promised to make them feel the impact of federal presence in the zone within his four years in the Senate.
Ikpeazu said that when he goes to the Senate, he would develop a working synergy with the Federal government that would lead to the reactivation of work on the Aba – Port Harcourt highway and the Aba – Ikot Ekpene highway, in addition to other areas that require intervention.
He said that his administration since 2015 has been building human capacity and infrastructure which will not end until his last day in office as the Governor on May 29th, 2023, adding that asphalt work, the last stage of work, has commenced at Faulks road through Brass junction as promised.
The Governor also explained that with the level of progress already achieved in the state, a tested administrator with verifiable records like Prof Uche Ikonne should take over as Governor for sustained progress in the state and promised that their team would not disappoint the citizens.
In his remarks earlier, the Convener of the event and Commissioner for Agriculture – Prof Ikechi Mgbeoji, said the Civic Reception was to thank Governor Ikpeazu for rebuilding Aba with numerous strategic roads, appointment of their people into political positions which have made the City the greatest beneficiary of this government.
In their various speeches, a former Chairman of Aba South LGA, Chief Chukwudi Chukwudi David Dike, a former Chairman of Aba North LGA, Chief Victor Ubani, on behalf of their people, thanked Governor Ikpeazu for bringing pride to the PDP through his monumental achievements and promised to work for his senatorial victory as well as other candidates.
The Chairman of Abia State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Lucky Akubueze, on behalf of traders in the state, Chief J.C Mbonu who spoke for all Town Unions from different states and Chief Okezie Erondu who spoke for Government functionaries from Aba, said that Governor Ikpeazu has shown capacity in governance as evident in the reconstruction of Azikiwe road, Osusu, Osisioma flyover, among other roads, noting that their PVCs are ready for his election.
Responding on behalf of the adopted candidates, Hon. Chimaobi Ebisike, said that the support of the Traditional Rulers in Aba, together with the people towards the project, shows great satisfaction from every group and promised not to disappoint them.
Highpoint of the event was the conferment of the title of OHAZURUMEE OF ABA on the Governor by the Traditional Rulers from the two Local Government Areas.
A former Deputy Governor in the State Rt. Hon Eric Acho Nwakanma, a former Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly and former National Assembly member, Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike,Director-General of the OVI for Senate Campaign Organization, Hon. A C Thomas Nkoro, Executive Chairmen of Aba North LGA, Prince Prince David Ikonne, his Aba South counterpart, Hon. Clinton Emmanuel Ebere, were among dignitaries at the event.
