Gov Ikpeazu says he has no regrets losing the Abia South senatorial election but rather thankful to God for serving the state for eight years
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that his loss of the 2023 Abia South senatorial election to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in last Saturday’s National Assembly election is not an issue of worry to him, adding rather that he is thankful to God for the opportunity of serving Abia State as governor for eight years
Ikpeazu, who made the declaration before journalists, maintained that he was grateful to God that no life was lost in the election as he was not ready to engage in violence or spill blood to win an election. He stressed that in any democratic setting, it was expected that one wins some battles and loses some others.
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The governor said: “Yes in elections, you win some and you lose some. It is service and if somehow the opportunity fails to come to you, you thank God for the ones you won. I cannot spill blood for politics. I am a happy man and now focused on March 11 governorship election.”
He acknowledged that the Peter Obi candidacy affected most of the results from the South East, adding that it was important to focus on the governorship election coming up on Saturday. He said the Igbo would “take stock of the Obi wave and it’s socio-political impact.”
He added: “Tell our detractors that Dr Ikpeazu has won two gubernatorial elections in Abia and by God’s grace defeated Covid-19. He can count his blessings. In eight years as governor, he restored peace and security, built 4 bridges and 200 roads; built a Pediatric hospital, 700 classroom blocks, four model schools, gave overseas scholarships to 51 Abians among other things, all in eight years. That is to show that he came to serve without bitterness and attention to naysayers. Ikpeazu has promised to finish the new Government House Umuahia, finish the new ultra-modern diagnostic lab in Isukwuato and mega hospital in Aba. I can count my blessings. Let all men count their own. It’s not how long but how well”
The governor said he would now be focusing on winning the state for the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Okey Ahiwe, on March 11. He said he was thankful to God for the opportunity to serve Abia State and would remain in contact with the next administration in the state to offer his advice, when needed