The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu on Saturday failed to attend the presidential campaign rally of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
The Editor Nigeria reports that the presidential campaign was held at the Umuahia Township Stadium, in the state capital.
Ikpeazu who is a member of the five aggrieved Governors of PDP, identified as G-5 was represented by his Deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu at the event.
The presidential campaign was attended by members of the State Working Committee (SWC), Chairman PDP BoT, Adolphus Wabara, Theodore Orji, Chairman Atiku/Okowa PCC Southeast, National chairman of the PDP, Iyiorcha Ayu, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji and other notable personalities in the state.
Some officials of the state government were also absent from the rally due to a rift between the leadership of the PDP and the G-5 governors.
Atiku while speaking at the event said he will set aside $10 billion for the development of the southeast region.
He said, “I, therefore, will appeal to you not to be distracted by other political parties who may be playing the either religious or ethnic card. I appeal to the Abia people to make sure that you remain in the PDP. I have seen a number of requests that you people made here and I want to say that they are all legitimate and they fall within our policy which we tagged our covenant with Nigerians.”
Ayu while speaking at the event said no single individual or group of individuals can destabilise the party.
He said, “Let me assure you that when we formed this party in 1998, this party had prominent participation by Igbo sons. Our leader was Dr Alex Ekwueme. The Igbos played a key role. I want the younger generation of Igbo people to come forward and show leadership. The southeast needs outstanding leaders who will engage the rest of Nigeria and bring benefit to their people.
“Voting Labour Party will not help you. You will be marginalised for the next eight years to 16 years. The only party that is available for you is the PDP which is an organic party and party of the people. PDP is the only party that no individual owns. It is the party owned by the people and will work for the people. Therefore, no single individual or group or individuals can destabilize the party because it is owned by the people and that is why we call it Peoples Democratic Party. This is the only party that will give you victory and make sure that you achieve the development goals that you desire.”
