By Ikechukwu Iroha
On the radio was a crazy headline, notwithstanding, Abians were interested in the topic. I dialled the number some couple of times before a voice echoed that I should go ahead and join a voice on the trending issue. At first, I mustered few words despite all my efforts to get hooked to the Newspaper reviewer. For the limited per minute call, I said that Abia is a PDP state and will continue to be, especially as the State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is showing class in the discharge of his duties which is very obvious in the area of infrastructural development and prudent management of resources.
I considered it infantile to think that a sane mind could mistakenly say that PDP is dead in Abia, but I realized that few rookies in the opposition parties see it as lifetime achievements to call in radio programmes in Umuahia and emit some cacophonous bunkum. After such funny calls, they will gladly boast that Abians have been informed that PDP is dead and therefore, 2019 election is between the broom carriers and Oke Okpa. I laugh in Swahili.
Prior to 2015 general elections, people who opposed Dr.Ikpeazu hinged their campaign on the need to build roads in Aba. A particular candidate said at the Aba Chamber of Commerce (ACCIMA) that he had secured a #100 billion loan facility that will be specifically focused on Aba . That was the height of mendacity. While it was a mere campaign rhetorics, people who understand the dynamics of lending argued that the APGA candidate as a former bank boss was shooting himself to ever believe that Abians could be easily hoodwinked, knowing that it was impossible to secure a loan of such magnitude as an individual not to mention that such level of debt with repayment plans will take processes that could swallow an entire 4 year tenure.
It was easier for people to believe in Ikpeazu’s governorship as that would guarantee an equal development. Ikpeazu understands the topography and the nature of roads in Aba having championed the important task of waste disposal in the Aba metropolis.
It wasn’t surprising to many that Dr.Ikpeazu could dislodge the mermaid that was flooding the Ama Ikonne axis along Faulks road and go ahead to tackle Ukwu mango. It is his nature to match political will to perform, with quality. That was the only magic that dislodged the ‘innocent Mami water’ that was responsible for Chief Orji Uzor to abandon the flooded Faulks road and Ariaria in 2003. To the former Governor, the story of the non existent Mermaid was enough to waggle his way out of the demand of Abians for the full reconstruction of Faulks road.
It will be difficult for the bad losers to see some of these quality projects in Abia State since roads are not built on Facebook where majority of their supporters are domiciled.
I have seen genuine acceptance from patriotic Abians who still recall how difficult it was to access Omne road, Kamalu Street, Ukaegbu road, Umuatako street, Ovom Street, Chima Nwafor road, Foulks road, Owerri road, Ehere road, Etche road, Umuola road, Umule road, MCC/Samek road, Aharandu, Emejiaka, Onyebuchi Street, Okigwe road, Ochefu road, etc.
Abians still recall how damn crazy it was to make a quick journey from Aba Park through Abayi to Osisioma until Governor Okezie Ikpeazu changed the narratives together with his promotion and support for Made in Aba products. Opposition will continue to claim ignorant of these thunderous achievements but Abians who are direct beneficiaries have the capacity to show gratitude.
No Local government has been left out in Abia State in addition to renovation of Over 300 schools across the State.
It is convenient to take advantage of radio programmes to dream dreams while the reality on ground shows Ikpeazu as a Governor that is welcomed anytime with great ovation.
What will opposition parties campaign against Ikpeazu ?
Ikpeazu does not play petty politics. He is only interested in whatever that will benefit Abians. A pointer to this is that despite being a PDP Governor, he maintains a good relationship with the Government at the center, on whose collaboration he has been able to initiate projects that has benefitted and continue to benefit Abians.
On development of SMEs of which Abia has regained her rightful position as the business and economic hub of the Country, on the Electrification Project at Ariaria that will provide electricity to the manufacturing cluster of over 30,000 shops, Ikpeazu has continued to show commitment to deliver dividends of good governance.
Abians can easily get instantaneous response on medical emergencies through the Dial-a-Doc tele health initiative. Our primary and secondary health care systems are up and working while our aged mothers and fathers are enjoying free health care and personal house care delivery services.
Abia farmers have gained access to facilities, fertilizers and special species of crops and seedlings. Abia rice has become a reality with the construction of various Rice Mills in tbe State even as efforts are ongoing to increase yields. Abia Poultry farm and Mushroom technology attest to the State’s readiness to growing our economy through Agriculture. The special tenera Palm seedlings is being distributed for planting by individuals to replicate the dreams of Dr. M.I Okpara that will see Abia become a major exporter of palm oil in Nigeria. With the over 2 million of such species, its proper to say Abia is right on track
I do not believe such efforts could be ignored by Abians for other political parties that parade the highest number of leaders with several pending fraud cases and are finding it difficult to organize internal party congresses with parallel leaderships on both sides.
With what Ikpeazu has put on ground, it is therefore convenient for opposition parties to make childish claims on radio programmes, than risking themselves on the streets of Abia where good people of Abia State are willing to deal with them with verifiable facts and figures.
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