Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State, has reportedly sponsored two other candidates for governor in an effort to maintain his stronghold over the state after learning that his chosen candidate for governor in the next 2023 General Elections is in danger of losing.
This paper can state with authority that Gov. Ikpeazu, who is not unaware of the crisis afflicting his party, the People’s Democratic Party in the state, sponsored two other candidates for governor: Enyinnaya Nwafor of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Professor Gregory Ibe of the All Progressives. The crisis, which started as a result of the ward three-man ad hoc delegates who produced the party’s flag bearer, Prof. (APGA).
Enyinnaya and Gregory, both former chieftains and PDP members who ruled the states, left their old party and joined their respective current parties, the YPP and APGA.
Although many would attribute the recent party primaries as the reason for both Enyinnaya and Greg’s departures from the PDP, the source, an aid to the Abia governor who requested anonymity, revealed that contrary to such notion, the departure of both former Chieftains was a clearly hatched plan of Gov. Ikpeazu who has since deployed state resources in sponsoring all three candidates.
The aide further revealed that Ikpeazu was confident that he would win the governorship of the state in 2023 regardless of which candidate won.
Aside from the PDP crisis, Governor Ikpeazu came up with the idea to support the governorship campaigns of the YPP and APGA candidates because he was fully aware of voters’ willingness to reject his appointed candidate, Ikonne, at the polls due to the governor’s failed administration, which had recorded infrastructural deficits and maladministration.
Ikpeazu is also concerned that the grassroots support Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu of the Action Peoples Party (APP) and Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP) are receiving is a warning sign for his agenda.
Many Abians are unhappy with Ikpeazu’s performance, according to reports from Umuahia and Aba, and are open to voting for any candidate who is not connected to the departing governor.
No political party has a better chance than the other in the approaching election, according to publications by Integrity Group (IG).
However, it identified the PDP, YPP, APP, and LP as the four parties most likely to deliver Ikpeazu’s replacement.
GOGAN Media.