From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday, said the 2023 elections would be about legacies and competencies, not mere politicking and promises.
Ikpeazu, who said he had shamed his critics with the inauguration of the Osisioma flyover and roads in Aba, said he would not allow any politician to use posters on his executed and completed projects.
Okezuo Abia Flyover was initiated and completed by Ikpeazu to ease traffic on the Osisioma junction, known for its traffic bottlenecks.
He said the completion of the flyover has given him so much joy that he boldly look at the faces of his doubters and laugh at them.
“This is the time of politics. If you want to contest an election in Abia, you must show us what you’ve done before. Don’t paste posters on my flyover, streetlights and projects. Place your posters on your projects, not on my own projects.
““Today is a sad day for those who thought this flyover will never be completed. It is a sad day for those who called it a borehole and called it a centre table.
“This is a sad day for the Sanballat and Tobiah (detractors) those who called this Flyover ‘Centre Table’, this is a sad day for them. I weep for them as they hide their faces in shame. All those who thought this Flyover will not come true, my word for you shame on you.”
He said the Osisioma Flyover despite all doubts has now solved the traffic congestion problems that were experienced back then in Aba.
Ikpeazu, who said the essence of governance was to solve problems of the people, congratulated the Aba business community and Abians at large on the realization of the project. He described the day as special for the people of goodwill adding that, for the opposition and those who castigated his government while the construction of the interchange lasted, it was a sad day for them.
He said he invited Governor Wike to inaugurate the projects because he is the father of flyovers in Nigeria and understands the value of an interchange.
Wike commended Ikpeazu for changing the developmental narratives of the state. He said he was proud to be associated with Ikpeazu even as he stated that Abians did not make a mistake in electing him as their Governor.
Wike said he feels proud to associate himself with Ikpeazu because he has changed the narrative in Abia State in infrastructure.
“I don’t associate myself with those who can’t show anything. Ikpeazu is a man that knows what to do for his people. This is why I said anywhere Ikpeazu is, I’ll go with him.”