2023: I Will Not Hand Over Abia To Political Neophyte – Ikpeazu

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has said he would not hand over power to a successor with no political and administrative experience.

He said those aspiring to lead after him should not be persons, who wanted to use political power to learn on the job.

Dr. Ikpeazu spoke at the 2022 Enugu State Cultural held in Aba.

He said power should be entrusted to experienced administrators, who were prepared by learning, character, life experience and knowledge of the local environment.

The governor said only such leaders could be said to have proven capacity to continue wherever he would stop, adding that they would be able to continue the progress and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

Ikpeazu, represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Kalu, lauded the good relationship between Enugu indigenes living in Abia State and the government and people of the state, describing them as “model and integral members of Abia community, who have contributed to the development of the state.”

He said it was time to consolidate on his legacy projects and urged Enugu indigenes living in the state to support Prof Uche Ikonne, who had a track record of excellence to emerge as the next governor.

Ikpeazu stressed government’s commitment to hand over the completed section of the remodelled A-line of Ariaria International Market to the original shop owners next month.

Also speaking at the event chaired by the former Minister of Power, Prof Bartholomew Nnaji, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ikonne, thanked Enugu State people for giving him a loving wife and a life partner, who, according to him, represented the attributes of a virtuous woman.

He urged them to vote for him and other PDP candidates, to further cement the partnership between him and the people of Enugu State.

Ikonne, represented by his running mate, Okey Igwe, enjoined the people to key into his ‘TIGER’ economy and participatory governance initiatives, to create more wealth and eliminate impediments to rapid growth and prosperity of the state.