Abia State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Reverend Augustine Ehiemere, has stated that the outcome of the March 9 Governorship Election in the state is an affirmation of the love and support of the people of the state for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Reverend Ehimiere, whose party’s candidate, Alex Otti, came third in the election, stated this when he led a delegation of the members of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to the Government House, Umuahia, to congratulate the Governor on his re-election.
According to Ehiemere who is also the Chairman of IPAC in the state, “By this election, the Abia masses have affirmed their love and support for you and your administration and now expect greater and more appreciable developmental footprints in the next four years of your reign.”
“While IPAC is united with Abians in this dream of a greater Abia, we are not unmindful of the enormity of the task before you but we are encouraged by your known zeal to change the developmental narratives of Abia State for the better.”
Assuring the Governor of the support of IPAC members to his administration, he called on the Governor to run an all inclusive government that will accelerate the development of the state.
“As we rejoice with you in this wholesome victory, let us remind Your Excellency that your election is a call to rise above your political party and be a father to all Abians irrespective of political leanings. In this regard, IPAC humbly requests of your Excellency to reach out to all political divides, professionals and persons with good ideas and run an open and all inclusive government unconstrained by political affiliations within the next four years.
“On our part, IPAC will galvanize all political parties and opinions behind your administration to create the needed environment for the development of Abia State. We therefore call on all political divides within the State to let go of all grievances and join hands with you in making Abia the development destination of Nigeria within the next four years.”
Responding, Governor Ikpeazu expressed appreciation to Abians for his re-election, thanked members of IPAC for the congratulatory message and promised to continue to present a platform that can accommodate all Abians regardless of political or religious persuasion.
Governor Ikpeazu who reiterated his administration’s focus on job creation assured that the Enyimba Economic City project, Ubani Ibeku Agro-Industrial City, Ohafia Urban Development Program and rapid infrastructure development efforts of his administration will experience greater focus.
“After election, the next thing is governance and I am fully focused on that now. We will run an all inclusive government where every Abian, at home or in the diaspora, can come and make contributions to the growth and development of our state”, he said.