Governorship Battle: Ikpeazu Lays Embargo On Supporters.

 The fear caused by the Abia state governorship battle is dying down gradually. It seems the nation’s courts will provide a solution to the political brouhaha. Abia state governor Okezie Ikpeazu has put a stop on all forms of solidarity visits by his fervent supporters. Ikpeazu made this known when he appreciated some groups who gathered people for the different solidarity visits which the governor said had even affected his administration. The governor urged “all Abians to please return to their usual daily pursuits and end further solidarity visits associated with the last attempted coup.” Since the governorship battle issue began at least a month ago, supporters of the governor and political jobbers do visit the Government House in the state capital, Umuahia, mobilising people under the aegis of various platforms every day. This made Ikpeazu to immediately relocate during the height of the governorship tension. Before that time, Ikpeazu had been overseeing the affairs of the state from Aba town since his inauguration. 

 The governor stated that he has taken “note of the cost and risk of Abians who mobilized to Umuahia to pay solidarity visits to him, almost on daily basis,” adding that their sacrifices were well documented and vowed to do more in return to develop Abia. In a statement signed by Enyinnaya Appolos, chief press secretary to the governor, he gave words of assurance to the people of the state that “he remains confident that the judiciary will deliver fair and equitable justice that will reaffirm the mandate given to him by the majority of Abians in the April 11th and 25th, 2015.” 

 In addition, Ikpeazu also said he was “grateful and appreciative of the seriousness of President Buhari in fighting corruption, affirming the rule of law and also stop corrupt individuals from using illegally acquired wealth to buy immunity from prosecution through the backdoor.” Ikpeazu vowed that his “administration will continue to support the war against corruption as he is convinced that corruption, wherever found, is antithetical to peace and development of our people.” The Southeast state governor likewise advised his “political opponents and those genuinely interested in moving our dear state forward to join hands with” in developing the State, saying that his “doors are always open to welcome all Abians, regardless of political disposition, to listen to suggestions on how things can be done better for the greater good of our people.” Ikpeazu concluded by giving words of assurance to the people of the state who are “without skeletons in their cupboard have nothing to fear, regardless of whether they supported him or his rivals.” A few days ago, the applications to join the Abia state governorship battle filed by the Abia state governorship candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Alex Otti and Dan Onyeonagu of KOWA party was struck out by the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal.