OUTGOING governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji, has pledged not to interfere in the administration of his successor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

Orji played major roles in ensuring Ikpeazu’s emergence as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his eventual victory at the polls.
Governor Orji, however, said that Ikpeazu won the governorship election based on his personal merit and charisma. He also attributed his victory to the acceptability of the PDP as a political platform in the state and the candidate’s Ukwa Ngwa nativity.

The position was unofficially zoned to the Abia South Senatorial zone, where the party got block votes.

The governor added that Ikpeazu’s choice was in line with the rotation of the state governorship position among the three senatorial zones — Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. Until Ikpeazu’s emergence as governor-elect, Abia South was yet to take its turn.

Although he said that he would not dictate or influence Ikpeazu-led government, Orji set agenda for the governor-elect, urging him to address unemployment and strengthen the unity and corporate existence of the state. He also asked him to cooperate with the Federal Government in providing security and implement the PDP manifesto, among others.

He said: “ I cannot manipulate Ikpeazu who has wide experience in public service, obtained a PHD at an age below 30 years; he is naturally, humane and rationale.”

The governor also reacted to the insinuation in some quarters that he (Orji) became jittery over the increasing impact being made by Dr Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

He said: “I was never at any time considering PDP/ Ikpeazu’s victory as dicey, but as imminent, because of PDP’s firm structures, which other political parties do not have.

“Above all, Ikpeazu’s candidacy was seen and considered by all right-thinking people of the state as firmly rooted in equity, towards breaking that jinx that the Ukwa Ngwa block would never produce the governor of the state.”

According to governor Orji, “ the emergence of governor of Ukwa Ngwa extraction is the greatest legacy I and my administration would bequeath to the people of the state; and I thank God that this is actualised in my time.”