Abia 2023: No Group Can Decide Who’ll Take Over From Ikpeazu, Bende Deputy Chair Warns

Deputy Chairman Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Promise Uzoma Okoro has cautioned groups and individuals against ascribing to themselves power to take over from the incumbent governor Okezie Ikpeazu, insisting that political power is contested and not handed over.

While insisting that God alone is the giver of power, Mr. Okoro noted that the right to contest for governorship election is fundamental, warning that those interested in the office should not be prevented from negotiating for it.

In a statement he personally endorsed on Wednesday, he expressed displeasure with reports on social media that a group has said the governor must hand over power to them in 2023.

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

He said, “I have stayed away from the temptation of commenting on the 2023 Abia Governorship tussle since 2020 because as far as am concerned, God is the one that gives power and he gives it to whoever he chooses.

“I am personally not comfortable with the items flying out on the Social Media that a group has declared that the Governor of Abia State Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu “Must” hand over to them come 2023.

“First of all, Power is not handed over, it is Sort after, lobbied, negotiated, and taken at the end.

“No Individual or Group of persons can dictate to the Governor who his successor would be or the axis he must hand over power to in 2023.

“Every Zone reserves the right to Seek, lobby, and sort for the Governorship seat of Abia State ahead of the 2023 General Election.

“It, therefore, follows in a natural progression, according to the specialist in governance and politics, that no person or persons or even groups, irrespective of their personal interests should arrogate to themselves the power to “preoccupy” , determine who runs or who becomes the next governor of Abia State come 2023, as doing so, will amount to intruding into the domestic freedom of individuals, Local Government Areas and Senatorial Zones Interested in the Governorship seat of Abia come 2023.

“I Speak Because I have the locus standi and willfully participate directly or indirectly in the process of choosing Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu’s Successor.

ABN TV brought you a report that Members of Ukwa La Ngwa Elders Council comprising Isiala Ngwa North, South and Osisioma had on Wednesday expressed readiness to take over power from governor Okezie Ikpeazu upon the completion of his tenure in 2023.