FG Not After My Mandate, Says Ikpeazu

Emmanuel Ugwu, Umuahia

The governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, on Friday dispelled the insinuation that the federal government was behind the pIan to unseat him and install Dr Sampson Ogah as governor.

He made this known at a press conference after emerging from the battle on Thursday to stop his challenger from being sworn in as governor following the issuance of a certificate of return to Ogah at the national headquarters of INEC.

“I want to dissuade the rumour that is making rounds everywhere that some people are sponsoring this (attempt to unseat him), I don’t think it is true because we understand the position of the government at the federal level against corruption,” he said.

He alleged that his opponent was in a desperate bid to become governor in order “to wear the toga of immunity just because the person wants to run away from the certainty of justice.”

He added that it was antithetical to the anti-corruption posture of the Buhari administration to support such a person.

Ikpeazu, who was flanked by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, said that the attempt by Ogah to unseat him was “a temporary setback”, adding, “I want to inform the public, especially Ndi Abia, that we are okay”.