Governor Nyesom Wike and elders of Rivers state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have paid a new year visit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in his country home in Umuobiakwa village on Sunday.
Metronetworknews gathered that the visit may not be unconnected with the governor’s planned defection to the ruling All Progresives Congress (APC).
A source close to the party, said the delegation used the opportunity to try to persuade the governor to reconsider his plans to defect to APC.
But a statement issued and signed by the Special Assistant Media to Rivers state Governor, Kelvin Ebiri, stated that Governor Wike while speaking explained that he chose the new year visit to his Abia State colleague governor because of the quality of friendship they share both on an official and personal level.
According to the statement, the governor described Governor Ikpeazu as a man of character, and a faithful ally who had provided support when it matters most and never allows disgrace to come to him.
It stated that Governor Wike also spoke of Ikpeazu as a true believer in the Nigeria project and supports everything that will foster development, adding that he also championed the need to change of previous leadership of PDP to align with the expectation of Nigerians.
“There are people you have special relationship with. Yes, we are governors, no doubt about it. As governors too, we know how we relate. Ikpeazu is one of those I relate with officially and as a personal friends”.
“You see, in life, money is not everything. Character is important. He is a man of character”, he stated.
Responding, the Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said it was a personal privilege and opportunity to host Governor Wike, whom he described as the flagship of governance in the country, as his new year guest.
He noted that Governor Wike is determined and selfless leader who is not only focused on provision of infrastructure in his state, but also providing true leadership for them to emulate.
It would be recalled that a serving commissioner in Gov. Ikpeazu’s government who preferred to remain anonymous had revealed to a national newspaper that the governor has concluded plans to join the APC.
Although, Gov. Ikpeazu has not confirmed the report of his alleged defection, sources in Abia Government House, hinted that his visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso rock on 30th December 2021 was part of preparation for the defection.
