PDP Caucus, Abia State Chapter, Adopts Governor Okezie Ikpeazu For 2019

By Pat PA Okon
                                                             

The Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abia State Chapter, rising from its meeting at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia over the weekend, passed a vote of implicit confidence on Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for his performances in the last three years.

The Caucus, which had earlier emphasized the resolve of the Prince Uche Secondus-led National Executive Committee of the Party to conduct free, fair and credible primary elections leading to the 2019 general election, stated that the State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, despite all forces that were geared towards distracting him from effective governance, which had culminated in three different Supreme Court cases, has made the Party proud through concrete and verifiable delivery of dividends of democracy.

Through a motion moved by the immediate-past Chairman of the Party in the State; Senator Emma Nwaka, seconded by a former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Prince Christopher Enweremadu and put to vote by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kanu, the Caucus unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ikpeazu and equally accorded him Right of First Refusal, thereby, having him as the Sole Governorship Candidate of the Party for the 2019 governorship election.

The Caucus had also urged leaders and stakeholders of the Party to reinvigorate effort in distribution of the Party's new membership cards, which the State Governor had paid for and should, therefore, be issued to members of the Party in the Wards free of charge.

The Caucus meeting, which was presided over by the State Chairman of the Party; Sir Johnson Onuigbo, was attended by many Party Stalwarts including; the Deputy Governor; Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, Senators Enyi Abaribe, T A Orji and Mao Ohuabunwa, two serving Members of the House of Representatives; Hon Uzoma Abonta and Hon Uko Nkole, former President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Secretary of Board of Trustees of the Party; Chief Adolf Wabara, a former Deputy Governor of the State and a member of Board of Trustees of the Party; Chief Acho Nwakanma, the first Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission and a Member of Board of Trustees of the Party; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, the first Chairman of the Party in the State; Chief Tony Ukasoanya, some other former Chairmen of the Party in the State; Chief Uzodinma Okpara, Arc Benson Ezem and Chief Ndidi Okereke.

Other dignitaries included the first Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Rt Hon Arua Arunsi, the Deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly; Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Rt Hon Asiforo Okere, former Deputy Speakers of the State House of Assembly; Rt Hon Ngozi Ulunwa and Rt Hon Emeka Stanley, a former Member of House of Representatives for Bende Federal Constituency; Hon Nnamdi Njoku, some South-east zonal officers of the Party; Barr Ukpai Ukairo and Chief Allen Nwachukwu, some other principal officers of the State House of Assembly, all Members of the State Working Committee of the Party in the State, some Honourable Commissioners in the State Executive Council, including the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Ume Kalu, SAN, Commissioner for Trade and Investment; Chief Charles Ogbonnanya, Commissioner for Works; Hon Eziuche Ubani and the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Sir Emma Nwabuko. The immediate past Secretary of the Party; Barr Charles Esonu and the Secretary to the State Government; Dr Eme Okoro, were actively present.

The Caucus had raised a three-man Communique drafting committee, made up of Chief Ume Kalu, Chief Uzodinma Okpara and the Secretary of the Party in the State, Chief Ibe Nwadioha.

Governor Ikpeazu in his speech commended the Chairman of the Party in the State; Sir Johnson Onuigbo, for the able way he has been managing the affairs of the Party.

The Governor used the occasion to re-affirm his commitment to the ideals of the Party and assured the Caucus of his determination to continue to serve the people of the State with humility, transparency and clear vision.

Governor Ikpeazu urged leaders and members of the Party in the State to be more determined in their drive to sustain the firm grip of the Party on the State.

Earlier in his speech, the State Chairman; Sir Johnson Onuigbo, had given a brief account of his stewardship and assured that the Party in the State would do everything within the law to make sure that victory would come its way in 2019.

The Chairman reminded members of the Caucus that they should not forget that much expectation is placed on them for the overall electoral success of the Party.

While the Caucus meeting was ongoing, the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Hassan Dankwambo, who is a Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the Party, came in and brilliantly addressed the Caucus.