From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A socio-cultural group, the Council of Elders of the Ukwa la Ngwa ethnic nationality in Abia State, has warned their kinsmen and people from other parts of the state against the unwarranted attacks on the immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
The group in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Max Nduaguibe condemned what it described as the high level vituperation, hatred, bitterness, disrespect, well-orchestrated falsehood, and unnecessary disinformation being leveled against Ikpeazu and his administration on daily basis.
The Council stated that it viewed the attacks as well crafted political gimmicks, not just to run down the former governor, but also to de-market Ukwa la Ngwa people.
It appealed the Ukwa la Ngwa political class to embark on genuine reconciliation among themselves as brothers to counter an alleged plot to divide Ukwa la Ngwa people and reduce its fighting spirit.
Nduaguibe noted with regret that no governor before Ikpeazu had been vilified the way the former governor had been, by their opponents and a few disgruntled elements and called for immediate cease-fire.
Reminiscing on Ikpeazu’s exploits as Governor, the group faulted the argument that the former governor achieved nothing for Ukwa la Ngwa in particular and Abia State in general.
The statement read in part,”The Elders of Ukwa la Ngwa have continued to observe with rapt attention and interest the political development in Ukwa la Ngwa land since our son and brother, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu served out his eight years in office in 2023 as Governor of Abia State.
“The Council of Elders wants to use this auspicious moment to put a few issues in their proper perspective.
“That without unity and total reconciliation the political class in Ukwa la Ngwa cannot achieve its potential neither will it realize the aspirations and expectations of their followers and teeming supporters.
“That the vulgar attacks hauled at each other particularly on our son and brother, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu by his own ethnic brothers and others, have been unprecedented in the history of Abia State, whereas Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is not the first Governor of Abia State. None before him has been so insulted, abused and attacked by their opponents and a few disgruntled elements in Ukwa la Ngwa land.
“We, the Elders of Ukwa la Ngwa, do not completely accept the argument that Dr Okezie Ikpeazu achieved nothing for Ukwa la Ngwa people in particular and Abia State in general.”
The statement added that whatever experience the Ukwa la Ngwa garnered from Dr Ikpeazu’s leadership would be seen as part of their learning process.