Ikpeazu Debunks Kalu’s Statement On Working For Tinubu, Reveals How G5 Choose Preferred Candidates

The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has rubbished reports that he is supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu for the 2023 presidential election.

The Governor described as mere wishful thinking, the submission by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu that he is supporting Tinubu to emerge as the next Nigerian leader.

Ikpeazu also stated that no G5 member can force others to support any candidate or party against his own choice.

According to him, “no member of G5 can railroad another member into supporting anyone against his will as suggested by Senator Kalu”.

The Abia State Governor said this while reacting to the submission by Kalu during a Channels TV interview that he and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State were working for Tinubu’s victory at the polls.

“Tinubu is well liked by the North and is from the South-West and is going to get a [sizeable] vote in Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra and Enugu. And he’s going to have the support of Governor Wike of Rivers State, so we’re on track.

“My governor here, Okezie Ikepazu, will also support Tinubu. My senatorial district is going to give Tinubu the vote, the puncher to give the 34, 35 per cent to be on the ballot,” Kalu had said.

However, speaking to newsmen after his road project inspection visit to on Faulks Road, Ikpeazu in dismissing Kalu’s claims said it is one of the speculations associated with the political season.

Kalu’s Claims Are False

Earlier, the Director of Strategic Engagement, Abia State PDP Campaign Council, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, had also declared that there is no truth in what Senator Kalu said.

He said Governor Ikpeazu remains a committed member of the PDP even if he frowns at some of the decisions taken by the party leading to the 2023 elections.

Chief Kalu maintained that the structure of the APC in Abia are already crumbling so there’s no way Ikpeazu would dump the PDP for the APC.

He said in the statement: “Governor Ikpeazu is a democrat and even as he frowns at some decisions of his party, the PDP, he remains a committed member of the PDP family.

“Ikpeazu is in touch with Abians and will not derail from the decision of a majority of his people which does not presently incline towards APC or its presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu.

“It is noteworthy that in the field, APC structures in Abia South Senatorial District have completely collapsed into the PDP as was seen during the PDP rally held at Ahiaba in Obingwa LGA. So it is laughable for anyone to imagine the Governor working for the same party that has collapsed as a result of the good work the Governor has been doing in the state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ikpeazu has not endorsed Tinubu and will not endorse him because he is a leader that is guided by the feelings of his people. PDP remains formidable and all our candidates in the forthcoming elections hold very strong prospects of winning, in Abia.”

PDP Remains the Preferred Choice

He added that the PDP remains the preferred political party for the people of Abia State and all other political parties are playing second fiddle.

According to him, the Ikpeazu-led PDP in Abia State has implemented many laudable projects beneficial to the people so it would be a mistake to dump the party that works.

He said the PDP in Abia State “acknowledges the frustration of opposition parties in the state and sympathizes with them on their imminent rejection by the people who see the PDP as a steady hand guaranteeing continuing peace and progress of the state.

“Abians cannot abandon the PDP which gave them over 200 roads including 4 bridges, 700 new classroom blocks, sent some of her youths abroad on schorlarship and trained shoemakers overseas. It is unthinkable for our people to abandon such a party which built 2 brand new giant firms that have been gainfully employing our people and engaging them in other numerous positive ways.

“The PDP government of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has employed over 10,000 youths through direct jobs in TIMAAS, APUMA, ENASCO, Abia school feeding programmes, ASEPA etc. It has facilitated regular power supply in parts of Aba through delineated support to Geometric Power Company and has bequeathed the first free trade zone in southeast through Enyimba Economic City.

“It is because we are proud of our record as a party and government that our candidates are campaigning on those records, whereas our opponents are engaging in propaganda and outright falsehood to attempt to hoodwink voters.

“As of today, Abia remains the safest state in the southeast. To the glory of God, the state has not witnessed any successful bank robbery since Governor Ikpeazu emerged in 2015. Our people will only go to a place with better prospects or they remain with the party they already know. They are not willing to repeat the same mistake Nigerians made at the National level in 2015.

“As good Christians, we are aware of what the scriptures say in Proverbs 24 v 21: ‘my son fear the lord and also the king. Be wary of those who go for change, for thier calamity is near!”