Guber election: 17 SDP LGA chairmen back Gov Ikpeazu

There are indications that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the Abia State governorship race, Blessing Nwagba may have been abandoned by the 17 LGA Chairmen of her party.

Addressing newsmen in Umuahia, the Chairmen, led by Hon. Chief Chijioke Ozems of Isiala Ngwa Norh expressed their intention to tell Abians that they have formally adopted Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu as their consensus candidate, come Saturday 16, 2019.

According to the group, the party had adopted President Buhari, stating that their state chairman, Hon. Chidi Nwosu had agreed to this.

“Today, we are adopting Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for posterity, future and equity sake”, “having seen the security situation in Abia State and what he has done”, adding that they have appealed to the state SDP guber candidate, Blessing Nwagba to step down for Ikpeazu.

“All we are doing is in the interest of the state, not in the interest of the party”, stating that their decision was in unison.

“We have woken from sleep and want to make sure we return Ikpeazu. He has done well”, he said disclosing that SDP is not factionalized and has the needed strength to bring equity.

“It is the turn of Abia Ssouth to complete their turn. We are 100% loyal to the SDP in the state. Let equity reign”, he said

According to him, “as an Ngwa man, Ikpeazu will go for a second term.

Lending his voice, the Organizing secretary of the chairmen, Chukwudi Abengowe, “we are only adopting Ikpeazu at the contest and we are supporting him.

“Dr. Uche Ogah and Dr. Alex Otti have been in a meeting and the outcome is unknown”, he said adding that they are not playing any anti-party activities, stating that Nkechi Nwaogu was also adopted alongside Buhari and that the action was not anti-party.

However in his reaction, the state chairman of SDP in Abia, Hon. Chidi Nwosu described the group as those found wanting in their duries and who could not even deliver in their wards.

Hon. Nwosu said that after the Presidential and National Assembly election, the party had reviewed their performance, stating that majority of the chairmen, “don’t even have the result sheets”, adding “if this is what they have done by jumping out through the window, let that be”.

The party, he said had already taken a decision to sweep them away, stating that the party is still intact “to lift Abia from the doldrums.

“SDP cannot align with the failing party. Anybody doing that is for a spoon of portage”.

He alleged that the PDP government in the state had compromised the chairmen with the sum of N1 million each, condemning the state government for spending such money on non-performing people.

He advised the state government that instead, they should used such money to pay pensioners and revive the state.

The state government he said has failed, pointing out that if there will be any alignment, it would not be with PDP.

Chidi Nwosu described SDP as a party that cannot be said not to be in the trail in the state, adding that the party is not aware that some of their LGA chairman can posture the way they have done.

He affirmed that the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Blessing Nwagba is still in the race.

In a telephone interview, the state Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu denied knowledge of any compromise by the state government, stating the issue is entirely a party affair.