Maduako Igbokwe l Friday, January 20, 2023
ABA, Abia, Nigeria – The Traditional Ruler of Ohanzu Egbelu Autonomous Community in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia state, HRH Eze Joseph Iheanacho Ahunanya, has expressed disappointed over Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s poor performance in the state.
He described the governor as a failure in the state. HRH Eze J. I Ahunanya,the Eze Ala 1 of Ohanzu Egbelu stated this, when Prof Gregory Ibe campaign team visited him in his palace as they tour Aba South Local Government Area in grand style.
The team also toured the four wards in the local government, namely, Eziukwu ward 1, Asa ward 2, Enyimba ward 3 and Igwebuike ward 7.
The monarch said that he is the oldest traditional ruler in Aba South LGA, and that his palace was a centre point, where activities were taking place , when the agitations for an Ngwa man to become Abia governor was going on.
He expressed disappointment over Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu’s poor performance in office, noting that he was not pleased that the first Ngwa man to rule Abia ended up in shame because of bad governance.
He described himself as a member of APGA and that Ikpeazu assumed he belonged to the opposition, and never invited him to certain meetings, believing that he was against him and/ or his government.
“I am the oldest traditional ruler in Aba South LGA, and my palace was a centre point, when the agitations for an Ngwa man to be the governor of Abia state was going on. I am a member of APGA, and that is why the Governor believes I belong to the opposition, and he had not invited me when certain meetings were organized. I will remain a member of APGA until the party wins the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Abia.
“By God’s grace, APGA will win the next governorship election in Abia. The Party had won gubernatorial elections in the past, but men who have mastered how to rig elections stole their mandates. For me, all the candidates contesting for the governorship seat are good, but Prof. Gregory Ibe is the best, by all standard.
Ikpeazu had told the traditional rulers in Abia not to welcome candidates of other political parties to their palaces, but I have decided to disobey him on that, because he is a failure. He demolished the houses of people in Aba, and many landlords had died as a result of that. The road to my palace is very bad, and the condition is always worse during the rainy season. I believe Prof. Gregory Ibe will do something concerning Port Harcourt road, when he becomes the governor of Abia state, “he said.
Earlier, during the tour, the state chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere informed HRH Eze J. I Ahunanya of Prof. Gregory Ibe’s promise to construct the bad roads in Abia state, especially Port Harcourt roads.
The leader of the team informed the monarch that no other governorship candidate in Abia has the kind of passion Prof. Greg Ibe has for his people and the state.
According to him, once Prof. Gregory Ibe is elected as Governor, he will declare Aba a disaster area, including Port Harcourt road. He appealed to him , to make sure APGA wins in his community.
“Prof. Gregory Ibe is a good man, and there is no governorship candidate in Abia who has the kind of passion he has for Abia. He really wants the State to be transformed into a better place. Once he is elected as governor of Abia state, he will declare Aba a disaster area, including Port Harcourt road. The professor is very optimistic that he will be the one to be sworn-in on May 29, and he has demanded that all should come out on March 11 and vote for him.
“Personally, I solicit for your support on behalf of Prof. Greg Ibe to enable APGA win in your community. Apart from your people voting for Prof. Greg Ibe, there is need for them to vote for Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for Senate, Onyeocha N’Aba for Aba North/ South Federal Constituency and Ugbor Chinonye, who wants to represent Aba South State Constituency at the Abia Assembly, “he said
Speaking at a ward meeting, the former commissioner in Abia state, Hon. Uwaoma Olewengwa said that an experienced man is needed at the Senate, and not an inexperienced man, who is not able to pay workers their salaries in the state.
According to her , “wazobia” is rooted in this year’s presidential race, since the three major tribes in Nigeria are fully represented.
She said that the Senator Abaribe’s boldness and outspokenness, especially on the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whom she described as a prisoner of conscience was outstanding.
“The kind of person the people of Abia South need for proper representation at the Senate is an experienced man who is bold and outspoken, and not an inexperienced man, who has not been able to pay his workers their salary. Senator Abaribe is bold and fearless. When our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and detained, and a condition was attached to his release, Senator Abaribe fearlessly signed as his surety.
He assured the Presidency that he would sign as his surety again, if called upon to do so. This is the kind of man that should represent Abia South at the Senate. It is not a job for a beginner and inexperienced person, moreover, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has committed himself in one way or the other, and may not be able to express himself boldly at the Senate, if elected,”she stated
She also appealed to the people of the local to vote Alex Ikwechegh (Onyeocha N’Aba) and give him opportunity to prove himself at the Federal House.
She gave reasons why Prof. Gregory Ibe should be the one to govern Abia, noting that he is passionate about the Welfare Ndi Abia. Uwaoma Olewengwa expressed disappointment over Dr. Okezie’s failure, stressing that this is time to tell him that he has failed the people of the state .
“I see Ossy Prestige in Alex Ikwechegh. We have to vote for him. This is a young man who is quick to learn; very articulate and well schooled. With him at the Federal House, Aba South/ North Federal Constituency will be properly represented. Already, Ndi Aba are in love with him, and his Onyeocha N’Aba, has become a household name in Aba.
“Prof. Gregory Ibe has a towering personality, and the weight of his influence could be felt across the globe. He is the best man for the governorship position. And because he has the milk of human kindness in him, he will not allow Abians to suffer, if he is elected as governor. Believe it or not, Prof. Gregory Ibe is the next governor of Abia state, but your PVCs will be instrumental to his elevation, so, you must go and collect your PVC,”she said .
Also, Michael Okorie (White), who is Prof. Gregory Ibe’s Campaign Council, Youth Leader, criticized the government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for owing Abia workers. He said that , that Prof. Greg Ibe doesn’t owe staff of his establishments and the state is expecting a governor who will not owe staff.
He condemned the attitude of the governor towards the reconstruction of Port Harcourt road and others in the state.
The Youth Leader assured the people that Prof. Greg Ibe, if elected, will not only reconstruct Port Harcourt road, but will compensate the people who are affected by the demolition carried out by Dr. Okezie-led government.
“The present government in Abia state is not interested in the welfare of the workers, who they owed salary arrears. But in the case of Prof. Gregory Ibe, he doesn’t owe his workers, and if he becomes the Governor, he will not owe Abia workers. Look at Port Harcourt road. It has become so bad that during the last rainy season, a motorcyclist rode into a gutter due to flooded road, and was reported dead. But, the good news is that Prof. Gregory Ibe is interested in reconstructing Port Harcourt road, if elected. He will compensate the people who are affected in the unlawful demolition of houses. He will surely wipe off their tears,”he said
The State Woman Leader, Mrs. Irene Onyekwere told the women that Prof. Greg Ibe is interested in working with the women of the State, noting that his cabinet will be made up of men and women.
She urged the women to massively vote Prof. Gregory Ibe into power and enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“Prof. Gregory Ibe has assured me that he will have many women in his government, and will create room for women to occupy strategic positions. So, I urge all of you to vote for this kind man, whose interest is to better the lives of Abians. He is determined to change the face of Abia, and his wife will carry the women along, once her husband becomes the next governor of Abia state.”she stated
Present at the meetings were: the State Chairman of the Party, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere; State Woman Leader, Mrs. Irene Onyekwere; APGA Aba South LGA Chairman, Hon. Jude Eke (Bumper); State Working Committee member, Chief Allwell Okere; PGI Campaign Council Youth Leader, Michael Okorie; and Mr. Okechukwu Ebere, APGA stakeholder in Ugwunagbo .
