Abia People Urged to Hold Ikpeazu Accountable for Abia IGR ‘Misappropriation’

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Friday Nwosu, has called on the people of Abia State to hold the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, accountable for the alleged misappropriation of the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state.

He made the call yesterday at the APC secretariat in Umuahia when he declared his interest to fly the party’s flag in the 2019 governorship election, saying the state generates high IGR to pay salaries and pensions.

According to him, “People are stealing money in the state, and that’s why salaries and pensions are not paid. “Abians should demand where the state IGR is going and what government is using it for.”

He vowed that he would use IGR to pay salaries and pensions if given the mandate to govern state, adding that he would grow the state IGR to the level where it would be so easy for the state to pay salaries and pensions sustainably without any hitch.

Nwosu, who fought very hard in legal tussle albeit unsuccessfully to remove Ikpeazu from office, said by 2019, if he succeeds in dislodging Ikpeazu, his kinsman has no moral justification to seek second term in office having recorded below average performance.

“I want to remove my brother who is not performing. He is in bondage and I’m the one to free him from his servitude,” he declared to the applause of his supporters who filled the party office.

The aspirant said having been fervent anti-corruption crusader, he would neither be corrupt nor encourage anybody to steal the state money, adding that he would ensure that the resources of God’s own state would be used for the development of the state.

Though all the APC gubernatorial aspirants are expected to vie for the ticket in a primary, Nwosu said it would be in the interest of the party to adopt him as the APC standard bearer as, according to him, he possesses the magic wand to dislodge Ikpeaz and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power.

He lamented that the Ikpeazu administration has turned Abia people into a mass of despondent citizens who are now yearning for a change to relieve them of the burden of hardship, adding that “a solidarity movement” across the state has commenced to show the exit door to Ikpeazu.

“Right now, we want to join our hands together and enthrone a corrupt-free government in Abia State,” he stated.

In his response, the state Chairman of APC, Hon Donatus Nwankpa, commended Nwosu for his sterling credentials as a leader, dogged fighter and creativity from which Abia would benefit if he succeeds in making it to the Government House in Umuahia.