I did not impose Ikpeazu on Abia —Orji

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has described as untrue, the insinuation making the rounds that he installed the Governor-elect, Dr. Okezie  Ikpeazu, in order to manipulate him, saying that Ikpeazu  emerged as the choice of the people  through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries after defeating other contenders and that he possesses the charisma and qualities of a leader.

Fielding questions from reporters, Governor Orji stated that the era of manipulation is gone, pointing out that he has no intention of manipulating anyone after leaving office.

Orji expressed joy that his dream to hand -over the governance of Abia State to a person of  Ukwa Ngwa extraction at the end of his second tenure on May 29 has come true.

He thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission and Abia citizens for their efforts in making sure that justice was done at the 2015 general elections in Abia.

He described the mandate of the people to hand over governance to an Ukwangwa son, as a demonstration of justice, fair play and ensuring equity in power sharing.

The governor was full of joy over the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu at the polls, saying that Ikpeazu remains the people’s choice.

Orji claimed that the entire Abians are happy with the victory, adding that the PDP made the right choice in picking Ikpeazu to run for the governorship position under the platform of the party.

He charged those who contested with the governor-elect and lost to join hands with him to move the state to the next level.

The governor said he was happy that the jinx of an Ukwa Ngwa man not becoming governor had been broken at last and pointed out that the zoning system introduced in the state has set a pattern in the state that would engender peaceful transition to power in future.

The Abia chief executive said he expects the incoming governor to run an inclusive government that will meet the yearnings of the people as well as try to improve the economy through job creation and to sustain security in the state.