The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu on Friday expressed deep concern over the current exchange of political brickbats by politicians and groups, especially from the All Progressives Congress, APC over who succeeds him in 2023.
The governor described such exchanges as unnecessary, premature and capable of distracting his administration.
Governor Ikpeazu in a statement by Onyebuchi Ememanka, his Chief Press Secretary quoted Ikpeazu as saying that he is still in charge of the State and will not be stampeded out of office by people who want to alter the natural order of things.
“While the Governor appreciates the rights of persons and groups to canvass their political ideas and preferences, he warned that timing is critical in these permutations and that there could only be one Governor at any particular time,” the statement read.
“He assured that when the time is right, his successor will emerge through a peaceful process of consensus and justice, involving all interest groups in the State, reminding Abians that it is God that anoints leaders.
“The Governor adds that his preoccupation now is how to continue to deliver more people oriented infrastructural projects for the people of Abia State, strenghten trade and commerce and keep our people safe , noting that the question of who succeeds him is definitely not what he is thinking about at the moment. This is because “if I start in June 2021 to think about my successor in 2023 and begin to hold meetings on the issue, it will be difficult for me to concentrate again and do my work”.
“Governor Ikpeazu appealed to politicians not to allow their rhethorics about 2023 threaten the peace and tranquility we currently enjoy in Abia State, and finally advised them to pray to God to give life and good health ahead of the politics of 2023, because only the living and the healthy will play politics by that time”.
