By Onwukwe Ezeru, Abia
The Nigeria Sanate has expressed its support for the embatled Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
It also sent an Ad Hoc Committee led by
Senator Biodium Olujimi to Umuahia, Abia State capital, to identify with the governor and commesurate with him over the death of former Forign Affairs Miminister, Ojo Maduekwe.
Other members of the committee include Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Senator T.A Orji (Abia Central), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North), Senator Barnabas Gemade, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Senator Sonni Ogbuoji.
On behalf of her colleagues, Senator Olujimi, expressed the felicitation of the Senate President and chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki, to the sovernor. She said that the Nigerian Senate was solidly behind Ikpeazu as Governor of the state.
The Senate also condoled with the state over the deaths of Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Senator Onyeka Okoroafo.
“The authentic and indomitable Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, we are here with the consent of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator, Dr Bukola Saraki, and on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to condole with you and the entire people of Abia State in this trying times. First over the political situation in Abia and over the death of your illustrious sons, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Senator Onyeka Okoroafo.
“Your Excellency, the Senate is solidly behind you in this trying times. You have our support as the Governor of the state, we are elected to make laws as lawmakers and it is our duty to ensure that our laws are not abused. We are aware of the political situation in Abia, be rest assured that the Senate is with you.”
Governor Ikpeazu thanked the Senate for standing by him, the state and the bereaved families.
He described the death of late Senator Onyekachi Okoroafor and Chief Ojo Maduekwe as personal loss.
The governor reminded the Senate that the recent ruling of Justice Okon Abang of he Federal High Court Abuja is an attack on democracy and Nigerian Constitution.
“I thank the Distinguished Senate for standing by me and Abians at the time of trials. The death of the Chief Ojo Maduekwe is a personnel loss to me. He stood by me through the campaign period and he was a pillar in my administration. He died when the state needed him most.
“On the recent political happenings in the state, I want to use the opportunity to tell the Senate that it is not attack on me as Okezie Ikpeazu, but it is an attack to our democracy. It is an attack on the constitution of Nigeria. If a High Court can think of removing a Governor, that same court can also one day, think of removing a President. So it’s not about me.
“With the support of my people which I am enjoying, I will do everything legally to protect the mandate given to me by Abians. We will not succumb to the antics of desperate people that want to cause crisis in the state.”
