By ONWUKWE EZERU
All is set for Imo indigenes in Aba to receive the Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu to thank him for his love for the Imo people. Imo indigenes in 2015 not only supported Ikpeazu but voted him to victory.
Addressing the Imo crowd at Aba on Tuesday, the leader of Imo indigenes in Aba and commissioner for Interstate Affairs Abia State Chief Thaddeus Mazi Izuogu (Ikukuoma) said the meeting was aimed at plans on how to receive Governor Ikpeazu and to brainstorm on how to endorse him for 2019 general election.
He noted that out of the 36 states living in Aba as non indigenes, it was only Imo state that he picked a commissioner of non indigene extraction even as he has given many Imo people appointment ranging from special advisers to senior special assistants in his government.
“What this has shown is love and the only way we can give back is by giving him our undiluted support and ensure that we replicate what we did in 2015 in 2019.
He used the opportunity to thank Governor Ikpeazu for bankrolling his hospital bill when he had an accident recently.
Also speaking, a People’s Democratic Party stalwart Abia and the former Executive Chairman of Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State; Chief Ezekiel Chukwukere thanked Governor Ikpeazu for recognizing Imo first amongst the non indigenes in Aba and enjoined the Imolites in Abia to vote him again in 2019.
In their separate speeches, Chief Chijioke Otuonye, Barrister Osuji Vitalis Chima, Mrs. Adaobi Monday and Ezinne Nkechi Ezim who is the Orlu Zonal Women Leader described Dr. Ikpeazu as a performing Governor who has raised the bar of development in the state.
According to Mrs. Ezim, what Ikpeazu have done in Abia State was unprecedented and should be allowed a second tenure.
Reacting after the event, the National Chairman of Orlu Zonal Assembly; Dr. Okechukwu Mgborogwu described Imo as the most populated among the non indigenes in Aba adding that the state has been playing its roles in the development of Abia State especially in Aba.
He extolled Ikpeazu for his visible achievements in the state and called on not only the people of Imo but Abia residents in particular to give him support.
Our correspondent reports that who is who in Imo resident in Aba including the Chief Security; Officer of the Host Community Producing Oil and Gas in Ngwa Chief Raymond Ekeruo attended the meeting.
