Abia 2023: Enough Of The Political Schemings, I’m Still In Charge — Ikpeazu Roars

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed deep concern at the current exchange of what he called political brickbats by politicians and groups over who succeeds him in 2023.

The Governor described such exchanges as unnecessary, premature, and capable of distracting his administration.

ABN TV had reported that a group, Ukwa La Ngwa Elders Council had earlier in the week vowed to take over power from Gov. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, insisting that it is their time.

In response to this, a group from Abia North ANPP2023 said such will be a desecration of what it called Abia Charter of Equity which allows for rotation of power in the three Senatorial Districts of the state, maintaining that it is the turn of Abia North to produce the governor after expiration of Ikpeazu tenure.

Reacting to the development, the governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka stated that he is still in charge of the State and will not be stampeded out of office by people who want to alter the natural order of things.

READ ALSO: 2023: We’re Taking Over From Ikpeazu, Ukwa-Ngwa Elders Council Vows

He said, “While the Governor appreciates the rights of persons and groups to canvass their political ideas and preferences, he warned that timing is critical in these permutations and that there could only be one Governor at any particular time.

“He assured that when the time is right, his successor will emerge through a peaceful process of consensus and justice, involving all interest groups in the State, reminding Abians that it is God that anoints leaders.

“The Governor adds that his preoccupation now is how to continue to deliver more people-oriented infrastructural projects for the people of Abia State, strengthen trade and commerce and keep our people safe, noting that the question of who succeeds him is definitely not what he is thinking about at the moment. This is because “if I start in June 2021 to think about my successor in 2023 and begin to hold meetings on the issue, it will be difficult for me to concentrate again and do my work”.

“Governor Ikpeazu appealed to politicians not to allow their rhetorics about 2023 threaten the peace and tranquility we currently enjoy in Abia State, and finally advised them to pray to God to give life and good health ahead of the politics of 2023, because only the living and the healthy will play politics by that time.”