Crisis rocks Abia PDP as aspirant, group accuse gov. Ikpeazu of bias
Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant Mayor Lucky Igbokwe has accused Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu of bias ahead of the primary.
Igbokwe says Ikpeazu is imposing his own preferred candidate on the state party delegates.
Speaking on Tuesday, Igbokwe noted the process of forming a 3-man ad-hoc committee to superintend the state primary is not transparent as there was no election to decide the members of the committee.
“I have been ready for this exercise all my life. I believe I was born to serve my people.
“But when the foundation is faulty, the building will ultimately collapse. The process leading up to this exercise is faulty, hence, my rooted doubts over the fairness of the upcoming primary.
“I do not trust the process as every action of the governor points to the imposition of his anointed candidate. This is not how democracy works,” he said.
Also, the Oganihu Ndi Abia, a critical umbrella stakeholder in the affairs of the State, says the process of selecting members of the ad-hoc committee lacks credibility and is unacceptable.
The group expressed their displeasure with the development which they claim is likely to see mass defections and the end of the PDP in the state if an unpopular choice is imposed as the gubernatorial candidate for the election.
Comprising of the Abia Redemption group, Abia Rennaisance, Ndinne Abia, Abia Youth Assembly, Save Abia Congress, Nzuko Ndiabia, Abians in Diaspora, Voice of Hope, Abia Enough is Enough Movement, Abia Elders Forum and the Coalition for Change in Abia, the board of trustees chairman, Chukwudi Ibegbu, cautioned all the political parties, members and their supporters to refrain from acts that are capable of creating crises which could be inimical to the peace and progress enjoyed in the state.
Ibegbu urged the parties to ensure a level playing field for the aspirants and that they have the exposure and capacity to transform the state.
“Unless we get it right in leadership, especially political leadership in Abia State, we shall continue to be in doldrums. We have been monitoring the current political developments and the jostle for political positions in our state and country.
“We note complaints coming from stakeholders and participants in all contending political parties in the state over lack of internal democracy and imposition of candidates.
“This is obviously what has kept us down as a state. We therefore advise all political parties in our state to maintain internal democracy at all strata and give a level playing ground for all aspirants”
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