Ikpeazu, who stated this while addressing the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Senator Walid Jubrin, and other members of the Board during the commissioning of the Umuobiakwa-Owoahiafo- Onicha Ngwa road, in Obingwa LGA, explained that he can’t abandon his people who are all members of the PDP as he won’t like to be a leader without followers.
The Governor said; “Let me react to this diversionary issue, the issue of PDP and other parties. BOT Chairman, these are my people. In a worst case scenario, I will come back and run for councilor for this ward. The people say they are in PDP. How can I be in another party and my people will be in another party? I want to say to you, Chairman of BoT, that we are in PDP for two reasons. One is because this is where my people are. The main reason is that there is nothing that I’m looking for, that PDP cannot offer. If I allow my personal ambition to becloud the wish of my people, then the only definition for me is the definition of a selfish person. Therefore as a leader, I can only be a leader when I have people that I’m leading. A Bishop without cathedral is not a bishop. Therefore, I will remain and build my cathedral where my people are. And it is in this party called PDP. I will cease from addressing this issue henceforth. We are running a free democracy where people can say all kinds of things. I give it to them that it is right for people to wish that I run with them. I have great friends in other parties but let them see what is good in the party where I am. Permit me to put to bed the issue of whether I am in PDP or any other party. Let me assure the BOT Chairman that I will probably leave after you have left. If you will not leave, then I’m not leaving.”
He said the Umuobiakwa-Owoahiafo- Onicha Ngwa road is a strategic economic road which links the famous Onicha Ngwa Hospital and the boundary with Akwa Ibom State, and disclosed that the benefiting communities would for the first time in their history, find an access road to Aba and Umuahia and other parts of Nigeria.
Commissioning the road, the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, commended Ikpeazu for his good leadership style which has made Abia the most peaceful State in Nigeria that accommodates people from all tribes in the country.
“Since I arrived here, I have seen the many projects by the Governor and I’m very impressed. I’m happy as BOT of PDP that Ikpeazu is in our party. I will never leave PDP and I’m sure Ikpeazu too will not leave PDP. Continue to support your Governor because with your support he will do more quality projects and bring greater dividends of democracy to you all,” the BOT Chairman said.
