Traders Back Okezie Ikpeazu’s Senatorial Bid, Say He’s Best Candidate

Traders in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, have endorsed the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as their sole candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District in 2023 general elections.

The traders in Aba North and South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and West, represented by their various executives, made this known when they paid a solidarity visit to Ikpeazu at Aba Governor’s Lodge, yesterday.

The traders, who spoke through their representatives, Obioma Daniel, the Chairman, Aba North Shoe Industrial Market and Chairman, Abia State Market Chairmen, Chief Lucky Akubueze, Abia State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) President, Ihechi Anugom and Akudo Aaron, the Woman President of ASMATA, commended Ikpeazu’s giant strides in office, which they said has promoted the ease of doing business.

According to Daniel, the governor’s campaign on made in Aba shoes has rubbed off on them and their businesses positively.

“Ikpeazu came to power and made the promotion of local content, especially made in Aba wears, shoes and clothes, a priority.

“He told the world that what he would be wearing throughout his stay in office will be made in Aba and I can tell you that he has not reneged on that. We have attended so many exhibitions within and outside Nigeria, courtesy of the effort of Ikpeazu.”

Speaking further on some of the reasons the traders endorsed the governor, Akubueze noted that the people of Abia South could not have asked for a better candidate than Ikpeazu.

Responding, Ikpeazu, who described their visit as unique and special, recalled his relationship with the traders, even while he was the Director General of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).

According to Ikpeazu, his decision to live in the Aba Governor’s Lodge, instead of the Government House in Umuahia, since 2015, was to enable him oversea the progress of work in Aba.

Ikpeazu, who used the opportunity of the visit to assure his supporters of his resolve not to leave the PDP, promised to deliver as a senator, having delivered as a governor.

Guardian