Integrity Group Flags Off Abia PDP Campaign, Seeks Support for Party’s Candidates
The five dissenting governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the aegis of the Integrity Group, yesterday stormed Umuahia the capital city of Abia State and flagged off the 2023 Campaign of the ruling party.
Led by the new leader of the group, Governor Samuel Ortom the G-5 members, including Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and the the host, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu arrived to a rapturous ovation.
The visiting governors canvassed support for the candidates of Abia’s ruling party and urged party leaders and members to ensure that the state retains its control of the state after 2023 election.
The campaign flag-off was climaxed with the presentation of party flags to all the PDP candidates for Abia by the National Deputy Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.
However, the rumoured health challenges of the Abia PDP governorship candidate, Prof Uchenna Ikonne played out in real time at the event, raising concern about his fitness for the long campaign ahead.
The former Vice-chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu (ABSU) slumped shortly after he laboriously made his speech after receiving the parry flag.
Immediately Prof Ikonne’s strength waned he was hurriedly led to the back of the podium and made to sit on a chair, surrounded by security agents and some aides who made frantic efforts to screen him from the public glare.
Even after Governor Ikpeazu and his fellow governors had left the stadium after the event, Ikonne stayed behind for quite a while before he was assisted to stand and was led to his car.
In his remarks, Ortom said that the G5 Governors were in Abia “to complement what our colleague is doing and to support him”.
He reiterated the commitment of the Integrity Group “to take Nigeria from what it is today” as characterised by insecurity, economic crisis and its attendant hardships
Corroborating the G5 leader, the Governor Ugwuanyi of Enugu said that they were in Abia to ensure that the ruling party in Abia win all the elections in Abia come 2023.
His Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde told the crowd of party faithful and supporters that thronged the Umuahia Township Stadium for the event that the 2023 poll
“Let me tell you, the 2023 election is going to be like no other in the history of Nigeria. Please, stay focused and hold your state(Abia) and it will be well with you,” he said.