Things are looking up for Okezie Ikpeazu and Okey Ahiwe, as their bids to move into the Senate and Government House, Umuahia respectively, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have got a major boost from major stakeholders in the state.
Ikpeazu, Governor of the state, is eyeing the Red Chambers in the National Assembly, while Ahiwe, who emerged the candidate of the party a fortnight ago, to replace the late Uchenna Ikonne, who died recently, while still campaigning ahead of the March 11, wants to replace the former the state’s number one job.
Their ambitions, got a major boost on Monday, from leaders of the various markets in Abia South Senatorial District, including Committee, Zonal and Line leaders, saying both candidates were the best suited for the jobs they were seeking.
Chief Lucky Akabueze, who spoke at the the well-attended event held in Aba, extolled the Governor for being a trader-friendly leader, always fighting for their welfare, while describing Ahiwe as a leader whose time had come.
Displaying the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) as proof of their eligibility to vote in the general elections, commencing this Saturday, February 25, the traders who came in their numbers renamed the voting as “OVI PVC” (Okezie Victor Ikpeazu – PVC).
Urging their counterparts in other areas of the state, regardless of their state of origin, not only to toe the same line, but to turn out en masse with their family members on February 25th to vote for the Governor, saying that they not only believed firmly in him to represent them well, but had the capacity to redeem the glory of Abia South at the Senate. Responding, a highly elated Ikpeazu described the gesture of the traders as gratifying and an acknowledgement of the work he had done in the past eight years to improve their welfare.
Ikpeazu, who particularly vowed to take up the Aba-Ikot Ekpene and Aba-Port Harcourt federal roads with the relevant federal agencies within his first four years in office to ensure its speedy reconstruction, told his audience: “I’ve lived here with you and together we have battled to reposition Aba to ensure that your businesses grow in leaps and bounds.
“There is nothing you have asked me to do that I haven’t done for you, and even now. I am still working to further improve your welfare. As we speak I am laying final asphalt along Faulks to enable you have smoother access to Ariaria.
“By endorsing me today, you have given me the wings to fly to Abuja and bring home more dividends of democracy to you. I have never failed you and will never fail you because you are the reason I wake up everyday to work hard. I thank you for the endorsement which I know you mean because you believe in my vision and mission in government.”
Commissioner for trade and Investment, John Okiyi Kalu, who thanked the traders for the massive support they showed the governor over the years, assured that he would continue to work for them in Abia and from Abuja as a Senator, calling on the traders to turn out in their numbers to ensure a landslide victory for the governor on Saturday.