From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Former Abia State Governor Senator Theodore Orji has urged his successor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, to take responsibility for his tenure’s shortcomings rather than pointing fingers at others.
Ikpeazu, widely credited with being elevated to the governorship by Orji in 2015, reportedly criticised past leaders during an event in Abuja last week, calling those who blame predecessors “lazy leaders” and describing Abia’s condition as “gloomy” when he assumed office. Orji’s camp interpreted these remarks as a jab at his 2007–2015 administration.
Responding through his former liaison officer and senior aide, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, Orji labelled Ikpeazu’s comments hypocritical.
“Ikpeazu is trying to rewrite history by blaming others for his underwhelming performance,” Umere stated. “In one breath, he condemns leaders who criticise their predecessors, and in the next breath, he’s doing the same thing. That’s the height of hypocrisy.”
Orji stressed that leadership demands accountability, not excuses. “Governance is not about playing the blame game or making lofty speeches but about delivering results and taking full responsibility for one’s actions and inactions,” he said through Umere.
“Ikpeazu should once again carry his cross. He was the Governor of Abia State for eight solid years. He had the opportunity to change the narrative, but instead of doing so, he is now looking for who to blame.”
The statement urged Ikpeazu to stop attributing his administration’s low ratings in infrastructure, economy, and workers’ welfare to others, calling for introspection over deflection.