Ikpeazu charges political office holders to redouble efforts

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has called on leaders at all levels of governance to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the people get the real value of democracy.

Ikpeazu in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka as the state joins other Nigerians to mark Democracy Day on June 12 praised Nigerians for showing what he described as unprecedented commitment and faith in the country’s democratic process in the past twenty years.

The Abia State governor used the opportunity to reinstate the commitment of his administration in ensuring that Abians across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state felt the presence of governance in their locality.

While commending the newly elected Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Engr. Chinedum Orji and his deputy, Ifeanyi Uchendu for their emergence on Monday, reminded them that Abians have very high expectations from all political leaders in the State.

The governor in the statement assured that in the coming weeks and months, the people of Abia State will witness renewed vigor and single mindedness in the running of the affairs of the State through the strengthening of democratic institutions in addition to the deliberate pursuit of those policies that will make the State safer, economy stronger and people happier. 

“According to the Governor, “this year’s celebration is special, being the first to be held on the 12th of June in commemoration of the day Nigerians trooped out in their millions and expressed their democratic choice devoid of tribal and ethno – religious sentiments in 1993. That election and the subsequent chain of events that followed it set the tone for the birth of the current democracy we have enjoyed uninterruptedly as a nation since 1999. 

“Governor Ikpeazu salutes the President, Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, SAN, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and indeed all Nigerians on this auspicious occasion coming soon after the commencement of this current democratic dispensation.

“Nigerians, Ikpeazu continued, have shown unprecedented commitment and faith in our democracy and have demonstrated in the clearest of terms that a government of the people, by the people and for the people remains the best form of government.

“He called on leaders at all levels of our democracy to redouble their efforts at ensuring that our people get the real value of democracy. 

“Governor Ikpeazu, in particular, salutes the good people of Abia State on this occasion and renewed his gratitude to God Almighty and our people for renewing his mandate as Governor for another four years with a solemn pledge to work day and night to improve the lot of our people. 

“Ikpeazu also sends his good wishes to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu and all members of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly reminding them that our people have very high expectations from all political leaders in the State.

“In the coming weeks and months, Ikpeazu assured, the people of Abia State will witness renewed vigor and single mindedness in the running of the affairs of our State through the strengthening of our democratic institutions in addition to the deliberate pursuit of those policies that will make our State safer, our economy stronger and our people happier,” the release read.

Meanwhile, our reporter who monitored Umuahia, the state capital and Aba the commercial heart of the state reports that while government and private institutions remained closed, markets were open as traders and customers from different parts of the country and sub-African regions were carrying out their activities freely.