Moved by the guiding principle of its philosophy, “together we can”, the Okezuo Abia Organisation has embarked on a ‘thank you’ tour of the 17 local government areas of the state to appreciate its members, who stood solidly behind the principle of equity and justice in the making of the 2015 gubernatorial election.
Speaking during the appreciation visit to five Local Government Areas of Abia North, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Umunneochi and
Isuikwuato and Bende, the Director General of the organisation, John Nwangborogwu appealed to Abians to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship in any election, pointing out that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu would have achieved more for the state, if he had not been distracted by series of litigations instituted against him by those who aspired/contested the governorship seat with him.
He however, said that not minding the court cases, Governor Ikpeazu had within the years under review, achieved a lot for the state.
His words, “If the governor can achieve a lot for the state even when he is under chains, then think of what he would have done in the absence of court cases.
“We should join hands in the preaching of spirit of sportsmanship; this will help our state to grow rapidly. It is good to congratulate your fellow contestant who emerges victorious in any contest, instead of dragging him from one law court to the other. It does not help us; we need to change from that attitude. If not that Ikpeazu is a man that is determined and focused and is very passionate about his commitment towards the development of Abia State, I assure you, we would not have harvested anything so far.
“But think about what we have already experienced from him in terms of developmental projects. He will do more and much better if we get out of this thing and by God’s grace, as we have already claimed it by faith, we have emerged victorious.”
Nwangborogwu, who disclosed that the court cases also affected the appreciation visit which was earlier scheduled shortly after the elections victory, commended members for their perseverance and consistency and appealed to them to remain steadfast and prayerful, so that Ikpeazu will lead Abia to its desired destination.
He announced that shortly after the appreciation visit, the organisation would hold its summit in Umuahia, which is expected to attract who is who in Abia and Nigeria, adding that the Okezuo Abia’s mini-empowerment programme would soon reach its members individually, as the results from the local governments which served as a pilot test, were encouraging.
In his reaction, chairman of Umunneochi Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Sunday Nwankwo described Okezuo Abia as a philosophy that is not only restricted to Abia State alone but the whole world. He said, “Justice, equity and fairness is a global principle. You do unto others, what you wish/want them to do to you”.
Philip Okey Igwe, chairman Umunneochi L.G.A, said, “Okezuo Abia stands for due process. It stands in the pillars of principle of fairness, justice and equity. It means so much to me especially this period that some people have taken the legal battle to experimental level.
Okezuo Abia is the values and ideals that holds Abia together”.
Speaking also in his Enyi na Obiangwu palace, the former Chairman South-East Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman Isuikwuato Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Ezo Ukandu maintained that their collective struggle to the actualisation of Abia as a state which centered on fairness, equity and justice would not be in vain as they (traditional rulers and other founding fathers of Abia State) were poised to ensure that peace reigned in the state. He said: “When the name Okezuo Abia was adopted as a campaign organisation which projected Okezie Ikpeazu as a candidate from Ukwa/Ngwa extraction, it sent a very strong signal to Abians.”
