By Akpokona Omafuaire, Warri
Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has denied plans to impeach his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu.
Reports have been making the rounds that Ikpeazu has concluded plans to impeach his Deputy over the latter’s declaration of interest for the 2023 governorship election.
However, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka,Ikpeazu explained that he has never discussed such issue with anybody, stressing that the Deputy Governor’s gubernatorial ambition is not enough to warrant any plan to remove him from office.
The Governor disclosed that his disposition towards his Deputy has reflected in the great relationship he shares with the people of Nkporo, the Deputy Governor’s community in Ohafia council,where he rehabilitated the Abiriba –Nkporo road and built the Nkporo Cottage Hospital.
Ikpeazu noted that he holds the record as the only Governor in the state that has worked with a deputy governor for 7 years and intends to keep the record till their tenure expires in 2023.
“Our attention has been drawn to the rumors gaining ground that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is behind some plan to impeach the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Ude Oko Chukwu. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no substance in such rumor as Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has no such plans and has never discussed any such issue with anyone.
“Gov. Ikpeazu's credential as an apostle of peace and stability are beyond disputation. He holds the distinction of being the only Governor in the history of Abia State who has spent almost 7 years in office with the same Deputy Governor. Governor Ikpeazu intends to keep that credential intact. The records of the fate of past Deputy Governors in the State are in the public domain.
“While the natural expectation of Governor Ikpeazu at this time was that his Deputy would have stood by him in steadying the ship of state as we head towards a political transition period, instead of being distracted by his personal political ambitions, the Governor however, as a true democrat, believes that such ambition is not enough to warrant any plans to impeach the Deputy Governor. This is why the Deputy Governor continues to be actively involved in the business of governance. He remains the Chairman of the State Committee on Internally Generated Revenue, in addition to managing several other areas of government business.”
The Governor further stated that the issues that occupy his mind are to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the State, complete ongoing projects and conduct a smooth transition to the next administration.
End
Source: Vanguard newspaper
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